Marysville students in tune with the people of Newtown

He has to try. He has to do something.

That’s what President Barack Obama said Wednesday as he unveiled proposals to ban certain weapons and ammunition magazines, require background checks for gun buyers, boost school security and take other actions.

“If there is even one thing we can do to reduce this violence, if even one life can be saved, we have an obligation to try,” Obama said at the White House, with schoolchildren looking on.

Those strong words came a month and two days after a gunman murdered 26 people, 20 of them first-graders, at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.

Far from Newtown, and just days after the tragedy, that impulse — to do something — was also felt by middle school students in Marysville.

Wearing Santa hats and with hand-drawn signs saying “Love &Donations for Sandy Hook” and “Playing for Sandy Hook,” several young musicians from 10th Street Middle School took to Seattle streets last month.

Dena Mielke, the mother of seventh-grader Carson Mielke, said her son was joined by fellow school band members Nate Novy, Jadelyn Lippmann and Olivia Lee in the fundraising effort. “It was all their idea,” Mielke said.

The kids played Christmas carols at Westlake Center and outside the downtown Seattle Nordstrom store for several hours Dec. 18 and Dec. 23, raising money for the Sandy Hook School Support Fund. The fund is overseen by United Way of Western Connecticut.

“The first day they raised $530, and the second day almost $380,” Mielke said.

Carson plays trumpet, Nate and Jadelyn are saxophonists, and Olivia plays a flute.

Right after the shootings, Mielke said, “I was debating whether to even bring it up. Carson was really, really sad. I let him lead the conversation.”

Twelve-year-old Carson said this week he originally wanted to try raising money as a street musician for Toys for Tots. “We were planning on that, and then this tragedy happened. We changed our plans,” he said. “The money will go directly to the school where it can help, maybe with a memorial.”

Carson said he first learned about the shootings through a CNN alert on his iPad. In an innovative program, every student at 10th Street Middle School is required to use an iPad for schoolwork. “We all have iPads and we all play in the band,” Carson said.

In Seattle, as shoppers rushed by, the kids played “Jingle Bells,” “Deck the Halls,” “Silent Night,” “O Christmas Tree” and other songs. “One lady’s sister had been to one of the funerals in Newtown. She donated $40,” Carson said.

“It was so bittersweet. people’s emotions,” said Sharilyn Lippman, Jadelyn’s mother. “People would smile, but it was this sorrowful smile. The kids would take a break, and people would still come up and give money.”

It was Lippman who contacted Karen Crowley at United Way of Snohomish County to ask how to donate to a cause in Newtown. Crowley is vice president of investor relations for the local United Way.

United Way here, Lippman said, let her know about United Way of Western Connecticut and the Sandy Hook School Support Fund. “United Way does so much good in our community. We felt very comfortable having the kids support it,” she said. Lippman, who knows someone with a Starbucks connection, has also been trying to get matching funds from the coffee giant for the students’ effort.

Like Mielke and her son, Lippman talked with Jadelyn about the Sandy Hook horror. “It’s just … why? They can’t understand it,” Lippman said. “The kids said it’s a blessing to be able to play Christmas music. Some kids and some parents will never have this chance.”

Obama talked about taking action. So did young Carson.

“Even though I’m just a kid, I am able to make a difference in somebody else’s life, and show people we do have power,” the boy said.

Julie Muhlstein: 425-339-3460, muhlstein@heraldnet.com.

How to help

Donations to help Sandy Hook School may be made through United Way of Western Connecticut’s Sandy Hook School Support Fund. Mail checks to: Sandy Hook School Support Fund, c/o Newtown Savings Bank, 39 Main St., Newtown CT, 06470. Information: https://newtown.uwwesternct.org/

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

The Washington State University Snohomish County Extension building at McCollum Park is located in an area Snohomish County is considering for the location of the Farm and Food Center on Thursday, March 28, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Year-round indoor farmers market inches closer to reality near Mill Creek

The Snohomish County Farm and Food Center received $5 million in federal funding. The county hopes to begin building in 2026.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Police: Teen in stolen car flees cops, causes crash in Lynnwood

The crash blocked traffic for over an hour at 176th Street SW. The boy, 16, was arrested on felony warrants.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.