Students learn perseverance from fundraising

A group of student musicians from San Luis, Ariz., can look forward to some international exposure as participants in London's New Year's Day parade, but they're also gaining a lesson in perseverance from their efforts to pay for their trip.

The Gadsden Elementary School District Marching Band is trying to raise $270,000 in travel funds, or $3,000 for each of 90 members planning to go overseas.

Benefactors have provided contributions for the trip — notably $15,000 from the city of San Luis — but much of the needed money has come from fundraisers done by band members and other Gadsden students since spring.

Sun Vista RV Resort recently gave the band $2,000, but the students earned that money to some extent by putting on a performance for park residents.

The fundraising efforts should reinforce what the students know about the importance of setting and sticking to goals.