LA PLATA, Md. — Elizabeth Tober, a La Plata High School senior, addressed the Charles County Board of Education during its Sept. 9 meeting to thank school leaders for their support of the fine arts and the expansion of her student-led Music Mentors program.
Tober, who founded Music Mentors at La Plata, spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting and expressed gratitude after learning that a grant she submitted over the summer had been approved, paving the way for the program to expand into every school in the county.
Music Mentors, which pairs student leaders with peers to build musical skills and confidence, began as a school-level initiative at La Plata. With the new funding, it will now reach students across Charles County Public Schools.
Tober credited Superintendent Maria V. Navarro and Board Chairperson Latina Wilson Moore Lee, who was unable to attend the meeting, for their support in bringing the project forward.
“The fine arts in Charles County is something that we really haven’t prioritized in the past,” Tober told the board. “Now the program will be implemented in every single school in Charles County. From everyone in the program and in fine arts — thank you.”
Background
Tober, 17, founded Music Mentors in 2023 after noticing many younger students stopped playing instruments by middle and high school. With support from La Plata staff and classmates, she built a peer mentorship program that connects high school musicians with feeder schools to inspire younger students. Earlier this year, Charles County Public Schools profiled the program’s success and potential for growth.
See the CCPS press release on the program for more details.
Watch The Full Meeting
Watch the full CCPS Board meeting here.
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