Team LA Raises The Roof at Ronald McDonald House
Team LA organizes Mother’s Day performance, instrument petting zoo, and toy donation drive.
Ronnie Wang, cello, rising leader (rising high school Junior; Oaks Christian School, Los Angeles; VMA Club President; VMA State Senator, CA)
This past Mother’s Day, our Los Angeles team from Oaks Christian School took their community engagement to the next level. Cellist and club President, Ronnie Wang, spoke to the audience, sharing the VMA mission.
From performances, to toy donation drive for the Ronald McDonald House, to instrument petting zoo, they brightened up so many lives. Way to be, LA! We also officially welcome Terence to the club who shared his drum kit with the kids.
As students grow into their leadership roles, they have a choice, just like in real life: do I continue to give back and play it forward, as our motto goes, or do I rest on my laurels? Ronnie chose the former, and elevated the club experience, not just for her own community, but for new members and clubs across the country who are just learning what it means to be the consummate musician.
For our program was designed to yield a lifetime of meaning and success for every kid willing to try giving everyone orchestra seats; challenging themselves to ask why they believe the Junior Program can be better, and be the change they wish to see.
At my high school graduation, I clearly remember receiving the school’s highest honor of “exemplifying the virtues of faith and honor for which the school stands.” To this day, I don’t believe I deserved the award — but as I grow older, and hopefully a little wiser, I realized the Board was also saying something else: giving me permission, for the rest of my life, to earn it.
When you joined the VMA, maybe a family member recommended it was good for you; sort of like finishing the remaining, stubborn broccoli on your dinner plate as a kid. Maybe the arcane system of achieving volunteer hours brought you on a Google search to us. Maybe leading all sorts of clubs has always come easy to you, and the VMA piqued your interest to try climbing the next mountain. Whatever drew you to our shores, there’s always a row boat waiting to take you to your next destination.
So Junior members, keep digging deep into our three pillars of joy in service, humility in stewardship, and responsibility in leadership. The next lesson is yours to teach. Let’s keep using our trained skillsets and listen to each other.
