HATTON, N.D. - Students of the Hatton-Northwood School filed into the gymnasium Friday for what they thought was a pep rally. What they got was a monetary donation and free band instruments to help rebuild Northwood's music program.
The Northwood school was destroyed by the tornado that ripped through the community in August. Northwood students have been commuting to Hatton since, where they have shared facilities with Hatton students.
The UND Staff Senate gave the Northwood school $2,500 and 18 donated instruments in a presentation Friday that featured UND's Pride of the North Marching Band. The students were unaware that the senate had raised the money and collected instruments for them.
"Instead of getting presents for each other each year, we try to give money to a good cause," said Janice Hoffarth, president elect for UND Staff Senate and staff member of the UND music department.
Christmas trees with cards communicating Northwood's need for instruments, music and monetary donations were set up on the UND campus and at Popplers Music in Grand Forks. The store will prepare the donated instruments free of charge to help the Northwood music department get back on its feet.
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"One hundred percent of what we raise will go to Northwood," Hoffarth said.
"This is really neat," said Kristin Knott-McCoy, Hatton-Northwood elementary teacher, with a big smile on her face. "It's for music."
McCoy and her fellow music teacher, Verna Lindvall, got a warm welcome via loud applause when they accepted the oversized check at the program on behalf of the music department. Lindvall teaches music for grades five through 12.
The UND marching band came into the gym with a bang at the beginning of the program, blaring music as the students watched in surprise. A young girl sat cross-legged on the floor of the gym, bopping to the live music that filled the room.
"They weren't expecting this at all," Lindvall said. "We told all the staff and asked them not to tell the students. And it stayed a secret until today."
"I'm so happy!" said Isaiah Johnson, a fifth grade Northwood student. "It's so exciting!"
"We at the University of North Dakota do care," said Phil Harmeson, UND vice president for general administration, to the students in the gym. "Graduate with good grades and, of course, attend the University of North Dakota," he joked.
The marching band played a few songs for the students during the presentation and had them all on their feet clapping along with the UND school song as the band exited the gymnasium.
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"It's very generous," said Beth Segerholm, a junior from Northwood. "It's great that we have new instruments."
"It's just really nice to know that everyone still cares," said Callie Berg, another junior from Northwood.
Both Segerholm and Berg have played the trumpet since they were in fifth grade and had their trumpets in hand after the presentation.
"This really promotes music," McCoy said. "It's such a positive thing, and they need positive things right now."
