Piano Donation Music to Commissioner's Ears

Students at Dover’s Bailey Elementary School are tickling the ivory courtesy of a former Hillsborough County resident.

When Mary Heffner was preparing to move out of state, she didn’t want to drag along her 100-year-old piano for the trip. Knowing the instrument was in excellent condition, she reached out to Commissioner Stacy White for advice on where to donate it, a media release from the county stated. Heffner’s only stipulation was that the instrument benefit a local school.

White, a former school board member, picked up the phone and called Jeff Eakins, the district’s superintendent. It didn’t take Eakins long to determine that Bailey Elementary would be a great home for the antique piano.

“Superintendent Eakins has a philosophy of putting kids first and he quickly recognized what an asset this piano would be in fostering music education for our students,” White said. “I am grateful to Superintendent Eakins and the members of the School Board for their support in making this donation a reality.”

The piano, which was “in excellent condition, and in tune,” was delivered to the school recently. The gift “turned out to be a real jewel for Bailey Elementary,” White was quoted as saying.

White, along with several other elected officials, recently visited Bailey to hear the instrument in action. Three students were able to perform for their visitors.

“The students’ performances were second to none,” White said.

Photo credit/Courtesy of Hillsborough County: School Board Member Melissa Snively, left, School Board Member Cindy Stuart, Ethan Jett (5th Grade), Eliana Jett (1st Grade), Giselle Gutierrez (5th Grade), Music Teacher Julie Boon, and County Commissioner Stacy White.