This spring, Mill Creek Middle School was awarded a game-changing $42,231 grant from the Morgan Wallen Foundation, providing a much-needed infusion of new musical instruments and equipment to a thriving but under-resourced music program. The gift marks a milestone for a school where music is more than an elective; it's a lifeline for connection, confidence, and community.
The journey began in 2023, when nearby Kent Elementary applied for a music grant for its Mariachi program. That application helped shine a light on the Kent School District’s broader needs and eventually led to a direct outreach to Mill Creek Middle School, a Title I school where many students face barriers to accessing instruments and private music lessons.
Orchestra Director and Music Department Curriculum Leader Yekaterina “Katia” Velit worked closely with Band and Choir Director Melia McNatt to build a detailed picture of Mill Creek’s music program for the donor foundation, which partnered with Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation to identify deserving schools.
“We had an opportunity to advocate not just for what we needed—but for the students who work so hard and deserve the best,” said Velit. “Some of our instruments are over 60 years old. We have students sharing instruments that didn’t even hold a tune.”
The new grant will provide everything from reeds and accessories to larger, high-quality instruments, and a digital piano which are critical tools for a school where many families cannot afford to purchase or rent their own.
“This will allow students to stop sharing instruments and finally have what they need to practice at home and at school,” said McNatt. “We’ll be able to set kids up for success every day.”
Mill Creek now offers one of the most robust music programs in the district, with:
Two beginner orchestra classes for sixth grade
One intermediate and one advanced orchestra
Four band classes (including jazz and pep band)
A growing choir program
For Principal Matt Fiteny, the grant is more than a financial gift—it’s a strategic investment in student success.
“Middle school is a critical time to offer new opportunities,” Fiteny said. “Especially for our first-generation students, music and arts programs help students connect to school—and we’ve seen that connection lead to better attendance and academics.”
The school has already added two new arts classes and a theater program, and enrollment in music programs is at an all-time high. With the new resources, the hope is to continue expanding and inspiring more students in the future.
For Velit, who has taught at Mill Creek for 16 years, the grant is deeply personal.
“I pour my heart into this work,” she said. “So many of our students face financial and emotional challenges. We love them, we support them, and this gift is a reminder that good things are still happening in the world.”
She added, “Morgan Wallen didn’t just give us money, he gave our students the belief that their art, their effort, and their future matter.”
McNatt echoed the sentiment: “It’s a huge boost of encouragement. Knowing there are people who care about music education and are willing to invest in kids they’ve never even met. It is pretty incredible.”
With the new instruments already arriving and classes expanding next year, the future of music at Mill Creek Middle School has never sounded better.
“Our students are thriving,” said Velit. “Now they have the tools to truly shine.”