Feet on the ground meant music to the ears.

Since its second year of existence, the nonprofit Hampton Alliance for Educational Excellence has organized a combination 5-kilometer race and 1-mile walk as its main fundraiser.

Prior to the start of this year’s 32nd annual event, held Oct. 13, participants and guests learned where some of the money generated by past races is going.

“This was the first time in over 20 years that we’ve been able to introduce new music courses at the high school, and specifically non-performance-based courses,” band director Chad Himmler announced, thanks to a $40,000 HAEE grant.

“Part of the grant was to install a digital piano-keyboard lab, where the students are actually able to come to school and learn how to play the piano,” he said, with about 30 students taking the class in two sections this semester.

For the other course, part of the grant is going toward installing a music tech studio.

“We’re still in the process of setting that up,” Himmler said, “and the students will really get into the software side of things, too, second semester of this school year.”

Rebecca Cunningham, Hampton Township School District assistant superintendent, cited the enhancements to the music department as a prime example of HAEE’s mission to support innovative and imaginative programs.

“There’s a lot that our elementary students and our middle school students have to look forward to when they get to the high school, as well,” she said.

She acknowledged Himmler and his colleagues for taking the initiative.

“Thank you so much for all of your hard work in putting that grant together,” Cunningham said, “and a big, big thank you to HAEE for sponsoring that amazing opportunity for our students.”

Regarding the 5K, Brian Canny of Imperial finished first with a time of approximately 19 ½ minutes on a wet course, according to Wolf Creek Race Management results.

Hampton High School freshman Damian Millea placed first among under-18 runners and fourth overall, at about 21:30. Thirty seconds later, the top female finisher crossed the line: Elizabeth Morris, an English teacher at Hampton Middle School.

For more information about HAEE, visit www.hamptonalliance.org.

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