Help Us Keep Mr. Lane at Battle Creek High School

Battle Creek High School isn’t just a building. It’s a family. It’s Friday night lights, early morning rehearsals, pep rallies, concerts, and memories that will stick. And at the heart of so many of those memories is our incredible band director, Mr. Lane. For the past six years, even before just at the middle school, Mr. Lane has been more than just a teacher to us. He has been a mentor, a role model, a safe place, and a constant source of encouragement. Many of us have grown up with him, guiding us not just in music, but in life. He has watched us come in as nervous beginners and helped shape us into confident musicians and stronger individuals.

He shows up to support students at events outside of the school band. He pushes us to be better than we think we can be. He celebrates our victories and helps us through our defeats. He believes in us, even when we don’t believe in ourselves.

Because of financial difficulties and circumstances beyond his control, Mr. Lane has been forced to accept another job that offers better pay. As much as he loves our school and our students, he also has to think about providing for himself. We understand that, but it doesn’t make it hurt any less. The thought of walking into the band room without Mr. Lane is heartbreaking. For many of us, band isn’t just a class. It’s our home. It’s where we’ve made our closest friendships. It’s where we’ve learned discipline, teamwork, leadership, and resilience. And Mr. Lane is the foundation of that home.

I personally have had Mr. Lane as my band director for six years. I still have three years left before I graduate, and I can’t imagine finishing high school without him there. So many of us feel the same way. He has shaped our high school experience in ways that can’t be measured. He has shaped who we are becoming as people.

We are starting this GoFundMe in hopes of raising funds to help close the financial gap that is forcing him to leave. Our goal is to show Mr. Lane, and our school district,  just how much he means to the Battle Creek High School community. We want to fight for the teacher who has fought for us every single day.

If you’ve ever been impacted by a teacher who changed your life, you understand. If you’ve ever seen the power of music in a young person’s life, you understand. If you believe that educators who dedicate their lives to students deserve to be supported, you understand.

Every donation, no matter the size, brings us one step closer to keeping Mr. Lane where he belongs,with the students who love and respect him so deeply.Please consider donating. Please consider sharing. And please help us keep the heart of our band at Battle Creek High School.

Thank you for supporting our band, our school, and most importantly, Mr. Lane.