East Aiken School of the Arts delighted with $10K donation

Aiken resident Maree Tarnowska talks with East Aiken School of the Arts first-graders Conner Entzminger and Maya Guzman. Tarnowska has donated $10,000 toward the purchase of musical instruments and scholarships for after-school programs. Staff photo by Rob Novit.

When Maree Tarnowska received a birthday present recently, she immediately gave it away.

The beneficiaries? A lot of young musicians at the East Aiken School of the Arts, which received Tarnowska's $10,000 donation.

The school will purchase musical instruments for its after-school programs and provide some scholarships for kids who need financial help, said principal Mary Robinson.

A relative of Tarnowska's had called before her birthday, asking what she would like as a gift. Tarnowska has her own "musical consultant" in the neighborhood. Dr. Sandra Field, a former vocal professor at USC Aiken, serves as president of the Juilliard in Aiken organization, which partners with the Juilliard School in New York. Musicians affiliated with the school will return to Aiken for a weeklong festival in March.

"Maree and her husband Bob (Morgan) have been supporters of our program," Field said. "We've shared with them our efforts in terms of outreach. It's a particular interest of ours that East Aiken has become a school of the arts. We plan to have an artist residency here in March."

Tarnowska began to take a strong interest in East Aiken, as well. She was dismayed that there weren't enough violins and other instruments.

"I couldn't sleep over what the school desperately needed," Tarnowska said. "When (my relative) called Christmas Day and told me what he was going to give me, I was overjoyed."

For several years, art teacher Carrie Power, physical education teacher Kathy Linton and Robinson have spearheaded efforts to transform East Aiken into a school of the arts, including the integration of the arts into the curriculum. They were joined two years ago by music teacher Megan Jensen. Several after-school classes have been added in strings, vocal music, guitar and dance.

"We've had so many blessings for our school," Jensen said of the donation. "It's been exciting to see the program evolve and where we've come. I feel very privileged to work here with this great bunch of students. We'll take full advantage of this opportunity."

Senior writer Rob Novit has worked at the Aiken Standard since 2001. He covers education news and general assignments.