Erica Tank wrote about organizing a musical concert for students at the UCP of Central Florida's Osceola Campus. She and two friends came up with the idea as a fundraiser but changed it to a concert for the students. They were initially scared and nervous but excited. The concert was held at the UCP facility which serves children with disabilities like cerebral palsy and Down syndrome. During the concert, Erica and her friends helped distribute instruments, lead singing, and assist the students. Erica reflected that the experience showed the importance of focusing on what children can achieve rather than what they cannot and being patient and understanding.

1. A Musical Discovery Erica Tank ericat@knights.ucf.edu April 6, 2010 EEX 4070

2. All about me!! My name is Erica Tank Some of my interest are reading, writing, going to the beach and spending time with my family. I am married with two crazy but adorable kids Hans my son is 9 and Amaya my daughter is 8 I am actively involved at my kids school and volunteer my time when I can

3. How it all got started… Sheri, Dulce and I had A fundraiser idea VCC Spoke to professor Groccia (Al) He volunteered to do a show as a fundraiser) however a fundraiser was not needed. We changed it to a concert for the UCP students

4. Early Perceptions This is how we felt Scared Nervous We honestly expected Chaos Unsure Excited

5. Introduction to the Setting 448 W. Donegan AvenueKissimmee, FL 34741Phone: (407) 932-3445Fax: (407) 932-3480 This 9,200 square foot facility has seven classrooms, a therapy gym and a developmental playground. There is also one specialized autism classroom. UCP of Central Florida’s Osceola Campus is our second largest center and serves a growing need in Osceola County

6. Demographics Classroom Profile http://www.schoolmatters.com/schools.aspx/q/page=sp/sid=55590

8. The Students were bilingual and multicultural

9. The students with some of the following conditions are serviced here:

10. cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism

12. Reflection of your Experience

13. In the end the mini-concerts showed me that we don’t have to focus on what a child cannot do but what we can help them to do or achieve by being patient, understanding and willing to go above and beyond just paper and pencil to make a breakthrough that may be the start of something greater than we may ever know.