American Legion Travis L. Williams Post 65, a veteran and community pillar in South Phoenix, will host its second “Play It Forward for the Arts” program this Saturday, April 27, supported by Arizona Public Service (APS). The engagement will introduce students to the arts, with middle schoolers from Roosevelt Elementary School District No. 66 attending a special reception at APS corporate headquarters, and then enjoying the Phoenix Symphony’s production of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. In addition to Post 65, the program will be hosted by APS’s Network for Urban Engagement (NUE), Veteran Employee Transition Retention Network (VETRN), and Hispanic Organization for Leadership and Advancement (HOLA) employee groups.
The reception will run from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., then students will walk from APS headquarters to the Phoenix Symphony to enjoy the concert production at 1:00 p.m.
“We hosted our first Play It Forward engagement in February to honor Black History Month and educate students about those who helped pave the way for civil rights in our country,” said Alan “AP” Powell, U.S. Army Desert Storm Veteran, HeroZona Foundation Co-Founder, and Travis L. Williams American Legion Post 65 Member. “We’re excited to host our second “Play It Forward” engagement, this time with middle school band members attending the Symphony. It’s going to be a fabulous experience.”
The program will host 60 students from various elementary schools and their chaperones. All students who attend the engagement will receive extra credit. The group will also meet community leaders, who will speak to the group prior to them enjoying the show.
Speakers at the event will include Arizona Public Service President, Jeffrey B. Guldner; Travis L. Williams Post 65 S.A.L. Commander, Dennis E. Prince; Chief Administrative Officer for the Roosevelt School District No. 66, Dr. Quintin Boyce; Chief Marketing Officer for the Phoenix Symphony, Todd Vigil; and Arizona State Senator for District 27, Rebecca Rios. The event will be moderated by former Arizona State Representative and Minority Leader Mr. Art Hamilton.
“This important partnership provides our students with an opportunity to experience the symphony first-hand in a way that allows them to learn and grow outside the classroom,” said Interim Chief Administrative Officer, Dr. Quintin Boyce. “We are grateful to the American Legion, APS and the additional partners involved in this Play it Forward event for investing in our students and families through this event.”
“Every child deserves enrichment through the arts and the Play It Forward program helps to make this possible,” says Rios.
