The St. Mark’s Grant Program: Learning Beyond the Classroom
by Claire Cho ‘28 and Joy Kim ‘28
The St. Mark’s Grant Program supports student-driven projects and research through donor generosity, extending learning beyond traditional classrooms. Grant recipients explore areas of interest during the school year or over the summer, then share their experiences with the St. Mark’s community through meaningful presentations. Such a policy allows for unbridled expressions of creativity and talent, a testimony to St Mark’s enduring commitment to individual progress and accomplishments. Grants and fellowships in the 2025-2026 school year are as follows:
Class of ‘68 V Form Fellowship
A.A. Jones Family International Studies
Matthews Fund
Thomas H Kean ‘53 Fellowship
Warren Scholars Fund
Grants for individuals generally range from $500 to $ 2,000, depending on project scale, and students submit their applications through written proposals. The student grants committee, chaired by the Director of the Burgess Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning, then reviews each application and chooses what projects to fund.
Lily Oh 27’ shared her grant project, a music initiative focused on small ensemble performances, with us. Her interactions with a Korean War veteran provided the framework upon which she built an idea that, she stated, “challenged assumptions I had not fully questioned before”. Even after so many years, the veteran clearly recalled a traditional Korean refrain known as Arirang; this led her to realize the enduring power of familiar and emotional music. Specifically, she realized that such a power transcended the established limits of age, limit, and culture. Her grant project was all about honing this power to create small ensemble performances that connect audiences separated by social constructs. The accomplishments and independent thinking inherent in this music initiative speak for themselves. Lily’s project clearly showcases the creativity and talent the Matthews grant was made to support and marks an important milestone in her time here at St. Mark’s.
Tell us about your project.
“My project was a music initiative where we focused on creating structured, interactive music sessions at local senior centers or in memory care centers, using small ensemble performances to encourage engagement rather than passive listening. The goal is to use familiar and emotionally resonant music as a way to bring their positive memories back into their lives with conversation and connection.
I was motivated to start this project after performing with my school orchestra at a senior living community. At the end of the performance, a resident approached us and introduced himself as a Korean War veteran. As a Korean international student, I did not expect to find that kind of connection in such an unexpected place. What was more striking to me was that he remembered Arirang–a traditional Korean folk song–and began humming the precise melody, recalling how he heard Korean women sing the song during the war.
That interaction challenged my assumption, which I had not fully questioned before.
I had viewed older adults as people I would have little in common with. I had assumed that differences in age, culture, and experience would limit meaningful interaction. However, in that moment, those differences felt irrelevant, and we were able to make a meaningful connection through music.
This project is built around that experience. Rather than treating music as a one-time performance, I aim to design sessions that use familiar pieces (such as Amazing Grace or Somewhere Over the Rainbow) to bring back positive memories for elders.
I believe this music is valuable, as we get to use music as a way to interconnect different generations and also a way to bring back and reconnect with positive memories that have been forgotten in our lives.”
Do you have any advice for future applicants?
“Just start writing it down; even though you do not have a perfect plan, better ideas will come to you as you write. Also, you can modify your grant plans even after you receive the grant, so no big pressure! Also, talk about your project that you intend to do with as many adults, especially faculty members, as possible! I believe that one of the strongest resources we have in our school is our amazing faculty, and they always have some ideas or advice to offer to you. So talk about it, and you will gain some good insight. Finally, start during winter break, do not procrastinate.”
How do you plan to use the grant funding?
“I am planning to use my grant funding for transportation fees or for music or paper supplies for our sessions.”
The St Mark’s grant is a great opportunity for students to learn how to use independent thinking and passion to contribute to the well-being of their community and beyond. Core values emphasized by the grants include academic excellence, global citizenship, and public service.
