A senior at San Gabriel Mission High School raised more than $2,000 in support of youth leadership training and the rehabilitation of former gang members with a benefit concert, Rhythm of the Night, given by the San Gabriel Mission Marimba Ensemble.
Maria Casta√±on dedicated three months to planning the concert, which supported both the Marimba Ensemble at the Mission, the Mission’s youth choir; and Homeboy Industries of Los Angeles, a nonprofit offering job training and support to former gang members.
More than 200 attendees participated in the Jan 16 event that also featured local bands and musicians, including the SG Mission Steel Drum Trio, Spilled Milk, Rundown Kreeps and the SG Mission Children’s Choir.
On April 19, Castañon presented Jesuit Father Greg Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries, with a check for $1,000 from the funds raised. Castañon plans to continue her fundraising efforts for the less fortunate. She is already working to benefit educational programs for students from low-income families. The project was part of the International Baccalaureate Program of the high school. For more information about the school, please visit sgmhs.org.
