Internationally acclaimed musician Dion Parsons has returned home to give something back to the community that gave him so much.
On Tuesday, Parsons presented the music department at Ivanna Eudora Kean High School with a full drum set, back up replacement drum heads, drum sticks and awards.
"I'll always come home to contribute," Parsons said. "If I can make a difference in one kid by donating one set of drums, or some drumsticks, it's worth the effort."
A graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School, Parsons now makes New York his home.
Parsons, a spokesperson for Vater drumstick company, has arranged for several pairs of sticks to be donated to students at Eudora Kean, CAHS, Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School and Addelita Cancryn Jr. High School.
"Words cannot express the gratitude we feel at being recipients of your generous donations," said Kean Principal Sinclair Wilkinson. "On behalf of the Kean family, I thank you for thinking of the students and our school."
Insular Superintendent Rosalia Payne was also on hand during Tuesday's ceremony to thank Parsons for his generosity.
"Thank you kindly for coming home to give back to the community which gave you your start," she said. "Your generosity is very much appreciated by all of us within the Department of Education."