Letter to the editor
To the editor:
There have been a couple of letters in the last two weeks concerning the use of the concession stand at the Hightstown High School football field. I would like to use this letter to provide some factual background.
In 1978, the Hightstown High School Music Boosters, with school board permission, spent $3,000 and many hours of volunteer time to build the current concession stand. In the ensuing years, we have spent much more upgrading it. In the last two years alone, we have purchased a new stove and oven, installed an exhaust fan, reshingled the roof and had the shack rewired. We paid for and did all of this without asking the school board for help because they were kind enough to let us build it in the first place. Over the years, the size of the football parent’s group has risen and fallen, but the Music Boosters has remained healthy and active and has been able to provide a service that attendees at any large athletic contest have grown to expect. It should also be noted that we do let other groups use the stand when they have shown that they will treat it like their own. We have not received any requests from PAL or Pop Warner in recent years. If we did, they would have to appreciate the funds we have put into the stand and be willing to share the costs.
What do we do with the money we raise? The Music Boosters organization was founded to raise money for scholarships for our band and choir students. This remains our primary goal. Last year we provided eight $500 scholarships to our graduating seniors. We also use the funds for a dinner-dance at which we honor all of our senior students. We pay for and make all of the costumes and flags used by the band front.
Finally, I’d like to address Ginger Kaiser’s comment about the football team having to wear embarrassing "rags." The marching band is wearing uniforms that are 10 years old. The advanced choir’s robes are 18 years old. While they may not take the punishment that a football uniform does, very few garments are meant to be used for such a long period of time. What are we doing about it? The school board has been made aware of the need and told us that they have put replacements in their five-year plan and we are patiently waiting our turn.
Music is a year-round program at Hightstown High School, and we do what we can to help to make it better for our kids in these tough budgetary times. The district administration has confirmed that the concession stand is the "property" of the HHS Music Boosters, but we are always willing to share with school and community groups that treat us and our property with respect.
Don Worrell
East Windsor
The writer is co-president of the Hightstown High School Music Boosters club.

