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This teacher needs your help!

Mrs. Sikma from West Chicago, IL is requesting musical instruments through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mrs. Sikma is requesting

Escuchar la Música (Listen to the Music!)

My students need a new, more complete, sound system to project their sound in larger spaces.

FULLY FUNDED! Mrs. Sikma's classroom raised $1,230

This project is fully funded

Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

Celebrate Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.

My Students

Many of our students in West Chicago are second or third generation Mexican Americans, whose native language is Spanish. The families work hard to provide opportunities for their children, but music lessons and traditional music ensemble participation is relatively low.

Adding mariachi to the traditional band, orchestra, and choir classes at our school, has engaged families in an entirely new way.

Parents, grandparents, and children connect across generations, and often across many miles through the music. The students are excited to come to school and learn, the families are happy to come to school and hear their children perform.

My Project

Founded in September of 2016, Mariachi los Rayos and its feeder program serve approximately 30 students in 6th, 7th and 8th grades providing the benefits of a comprehensive music education through the study of Mexico’s most famous music.

Mariachi los Rayos has performed at over 30 school and community events in the 18 months they since they started.

Many of the performances are outdoors at festivals, or at other events where people are eating and socializing. It has been difficult to hear the students without proper amplification. The Passport Venue Portable PA system includes a mixer with space for up to 10 microphones, and two speakers that all clip together for easy portability and set up. This will allow the students' voices to be heard more clearly while maintaining proper vocal technique, especially as they advance into singing solos and duets. As our program grows, we will be able to add microphones for the instruments too.

Our students are proud to perform as ambassadors for their school, community, and mariachi music in the midwest. Viva los Rayos!

Mrs. Sikma Leman Middle School Grades 6-8

Equity Focus

This project directly supports students at a historically underfunded school. Learn more about our Equity Focus.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

West Chicago, IL View local requests

Nearly all students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

30 students impacted 20donors

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Expand the "Where your donation goes" section below to see exactly what Mrs. Sikma is requesting.

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TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Passport Venue 600W Portable PA System • Woodwind and Brasswind $999.99 1 $999.99

Materials cost

$999.99

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$15.00

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$1,044.99

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$184.41

Total project goal

$1,229.40

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $1,229.40

15 Donors

-$843.82

Donations toward project cost

-$718.75

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$125.07

Matching donations from our partners

-$383.81

Match offers toward project cost

-$326.24

Match offers to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$57.57

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$1.77

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Sikma and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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