I have been a Dallas Cowboys fan ever since they drafted Bob Hayes in 1964. I have been loyal through the highs and lows over the years. As a matter of fact, for years, my brother's favorite team was whoever was lined up opposite the Cowboys on any given Sunday. My interest increased when Terence Newman (a Salina Central alum) was drafted in 2003. Knowing this, the Chancel Choir at my church has given me Cowboy stuff off and on for the last 37 Christmases since we have lived in Salina. My office "shrine" and seasonal leisure wardrobe are full of Dallas Cowboys items.

This year, the Choir threw me for a loop. At the post-cantata Christmas party, instead of a Cowboy something-or-other, they gave me a card indicating they had donated to the KMEA Fund on my behalf. I was surprised and even became emotional when this happened. They had found out how important I feel the KMEA Fund is to the future of the music students in Kansas.

We currently have enough money in the KMEA Fund to fully underwrite three of our scholarships. That is the good news and it is GREAT news in view of what our economy has gone through in the last several years. Money has been tight on all fronts. To achieve the rest of our goal, we need to get the finances necessary to underwrite the remaining two scholarships. After that, we will be able to start awarding grants to deserving music programs and music educators. The news sources say that the economy is on its way back, but there is still a question about how that will translate for schools and school music programs. With the Kansas political leadership in a restructuring mode, it is unsure how school funding is going to look in the next couple of years. It would be good if KMEA were in a position to be able to help.

I want to offer a challenge to every member of KMEA. I would like for each and every one of you to find a category in our giving levels that fits your pocket book and then give to that Fund. I'm not asking that you do it by yourself. As a matter of fact, I am asking just the opposite. If each of us can participate in this endeavor, we will be able to benefit the music students in Kansas.

I would also like to offer a specific challenge to two of the sub-groups of our membership. To the retired members and to the Past Presidents, I offer a "legacy" challenge; join me in contributing AT LEAST $500 to the Fund. If we can band together on this, we can get closer to achieving our goal.

Join me in financially supporting our profession through the KMEA Fund. Please make your tax-deductible checks to the "KMEA Fund" and send them to John Taylor, KMEA Executive Director, 614 N. Parkdale, Wichita, KS 67212. If each one of us would "cowboy up" and give what we can to the KMEA Fund, we would be able to help the music students of Kansas.

Donor Level	Contribution	Thank you	2011 Donors
Maestro	$10,000+	Scholarship naming option
Composer	$5,000 - $9,999	KMEA Fund memento
Virtuoso	$1,000 - $4,999	Listed in the State Festival Program	Gayle and Jane McMillen
Soloist	$500 - $999	Listed in the Kansas Music Review
Musician	$100 - $499	Listed in the Kansas Music Review	Scott and Victoria Price
KMEA Friend	$25 - $99	Listed as a donor on the KMEA website	Steve and Susan Nelson