More CMW grads bound for college thanks to CV!

In May, four more college-bound CMW high school seniors were honored by College Visions, the incredible program that "provides low-income and first-generation college-bound youth in Rhode Island with the individualized advising and resources needed to graduate from college." With CV's support, students "apply to college, make informed choices, enroll, and earn college degrees.

Congratulations to Hector Rivera (Community College of Rhode Island), Elvis Rosario (CCRI), Glademil Rosario (CCRI), and Marys Soto (Barry University). Also, congratulations to 2007 CMW alumna Tae Ortiz who is graduating from Guilford College this summer!

Here is an excerpted version of one of Hector's college essays:

Although I grew up with classical music through television, my relationship with the genre evolved through a program called Community MusicWorks. Over time, the violin became my partner in crime. I started playing at the age of 10 and at first I was excited to learn how to play the instrument. I would come home from school everyday elated to practice my violin. However, these feelings changed and as the years passed by, I became older as did the relationship between the violin and me.

As I was entering my teens, my thoughts of classical music being this fascinating genre that set the tone in television faded away. No longer did I embrace each sound. I had given in to peer pressure and listened to the cynical views of others. I also became exhausted with the time I had devoted to playing my violin. It was hard balancing my personal life with my lessons.

As I was entering high school, the thoughts of others no longer bothered me. Playing music had again become a major part of my life and Community MusicWorks had become a second family to me. To this day I am thankful that my mother would not let me quit playing the violin. I have learned many things through the program. They did not just teach me about music — how to read, perform and the history — but also life lessons and characteristics. They taught me about responsibility, patience, leadership and discipline.

To other classical music is just music that sets the tone in a show or movie, but when I listen to it, it is not just sounds coming from the background. I think of it as something that has set a tone in my life.

Learn more about College Visions here.