Sign to Support Saving the Mountain Heritage High School Music Program (Yancey County, NC):

For generations, the MHHS music program has been more than just a course. It has been a home, a family, a source of pride, and a foundation of community identity for countless students and families.

The program’s roots stretch back to the 1970s, when music education was built at both the middle school and high school levels through the work of dedicated educators and visionaries like Lisa Mauney and later longtime director Tim Babb, who led the high school program for more than 30 years.

Years later, I was privileged to continue that legacy for six years before leaving to pursue a PhD in Music Education in 2018. During my time at MHHS, the program was still thriving, enrollment remained strong, and music was one of the largest and most visible organizations in the school community.

For decades, students have found belonging, discipline, leadership, creativity, friendship, and opportunity through band, choir, marching band, show choir, jazz band, guitar, music theory, and countless performances woven into the life of this community. 

The MHHS music program also created something deeply important for students regardless of economic background: access to high-level arts experiences, travel opportunities, mentorship, leadership, and community. For many students, these programs became the place where they felt successful, connected, valued, and inspired.

Even beyond the benefits of music itself, the program gave students a reason to stay engaged, build friendships, develop confidence, and feel excited to return to school each day. For many students, the music room was a second home during some of the most formative years of their lives.

Recently, the decision was made to eliminate the MHHS music program. With this one cut, so many opportunities disappear.

From 2018 onward, the music department endured enormous hardship: increased teacher turnover, COVID, and Hurricane Helene’s impact on our community. Some have cited dwindling enrollment or decreased participation as reasons to eliminate the program. But supporters of this petition believe struggling programs deserve support—not abandonment.

Like people, programs can recover and rebuild when they are given stability, leadership, encouragement, and investment. Years of challenges do not erase the value of music education or the impact this program has had on generations of students.

We are asking district leadership and the school board to reconsider the elimination of the MHHS music program and work alongside educators, alumni, parents, students, and community members toward a sustainable path forward.

If this program impacted your life, your family, your business, or your community in any way, please sign and share your story.

Music matters in Yancey County.
And it still does.

*This petition is simply to show support and gather community voices. Donations shown through the platform support Change.org, not the MHHS music program.*