Whiz Kids: Garden City High School's Tri-M Honor Society

Congratulations Tri-M Honor Society members, you're this week's Whiz Kids!

Who: Tri-M's Honor Society

School: Garden City High School

Accomplishment: Garden City High School’s Tri-M benefit concert, "Music for Japan," raised more than $1,400 to aid relief efforts following the devastating earthquake and tsunami.

“Garden City High School’s Tri-M benefit concert, ‘Music for Japan,’ was a huge success and a night that will certainly never be forgotten by those who participated,” said Christine Pando (’12), president of the Tri-M Honor Society. “Nerves were in the air prior to the event. Students were wondering how many people would show up, how much money we would raise and, of course, how well they would perform.

“Once the concert began, all the nerves were wiped away. As a performer, it was an amazing atmosphere of peers and parents all coming out to support a good cause. Music is such an important and unifying part of all of the performers' lives and by combining music with this charity event, all the benefits of music were greatly multiplied. Everyone was excited and tremendously supportive of each other. Besides the acts being a huge success, Marie Nuzzi’s speech about the tragedies in Japan truly touched everyone. She was able to convey the deep connection between the Japanese people and the Garden City community that only she could provide ... We thank everyone for every donation we received. Every little bit counts.”

Key to Awesomeness: The high school’s music honor society has a history of supporting those in need.

“In 2005, Tri-M sponsored another very successful benefit concert for victims of Hurricane Katrina,” explained Mr. Ludwig. “When discussing the plans for this year in September with our current Tri-M members, a number wanted to do a benefit concert. It was originally planned that we would present such a concert to benefit the victims of the Haitian earthquake, but with this more recent tragedy in Japan, it seemed a more timely cause, though we still recognize the need for a great deal of work to be done in Haiti.”

The March 30 event was coordinated by high school music teacher and Tri-M advisor Robert Ludwig with technical assistance from fellow music teacher Stephen Mayo.