A local car dealership stepped up and made a $2,000 donation to support the film, drama, and music programs at St. Barnabas High School, as 200 students from Grade 9 through 12, returned to class after 18 months of virtual learning.

On Wednesday, Aug. 18, Julio Batista, general manager and partner at Teddy Cars, located on Boston Road, presented the check to the school. It’s hoped the funds will help jump start the return of the school’s drama club and restart a music program that ended in 2012.

The stage at St. Barnabas High School, located on East 240th Street in Woodlawn Heights, has been dark since their Springfest show and classes were cancelled in 2020 due to the coronavirus outbreak and related shutdown.

Before the check presentation, Batista said, “I love donating to the community. This is the community that supports our business and it’s really important to give back.”

He added, “Most businesses that have their business in the area should be participating, donating, and helping local organizations, not just the schools, but any program that really improves people’s lives.”

Through its “Music Matters” Teddy Cars Bronx Music Grant Program, Teddy Cars is donating $20,000 to the music programs of 10 different Bronx high schools, as reported.

After awarding grants to five Bronx recipients, the “Music Matters’ program was put on hold due to the pandemic. In January 2021, the dealership resumed its monthly commitment to five additional music programs, beginning with WHEDco’s (Women’s Housing and Economic Development Corporation) after school program at P.S./I.S. 218 in Concourse Village. In February, it was the turn of Bronx House.

Music grants have already been distributed to the Renaissance Youth Center located south of Claremont Village, PS 72 in Throgs Neck, The Bennington Band at P.S. 76 in Allerton, Mosholu Montefiore Community Center in Norwood, and Baychester Academy in Edenwald, as reported.

“You’re in the neighborhood, so you should invest in the neighborhood,” said Batista. “And let’s not forget the other side of the coin. If everyone in the area is also buying from local businesses, you’re improving the community by tax revenue, so it’s important to really buy, shop and participate in the community that you’re in.”

Henry Triana, the new principal at St. Barnabas explained, “Any funds that we get from the community are important, and specifically from Mr. Batista over at Teddy Cars.” He added, “Supporting the Bronx community in Bronx schools, that’s really honorable and important.”

Triana continued, “The drama program, I think, is something that continues to build up, especially now with COVID. I’m sure the production last year, like [in] all other schools, was halted.” The school principal said that restarting the drama program would ensure students had an outlet, adding that academics was one part of school life but it wasn’t everything.

“It’s a gateway into whatever they do want to go into… the dedication and commitment that it requires definitely translates into whatever else they want to do,” he said.

A grateful Triana added, “We very much appreciate the donation, and everything that they’ve done for our school.”

Richard Vitacco is a teacher, and film and drama moderator. He also wholeheartedly appreciated Batista’s donation to the school. “It shows his interest in the community. Our film and drama program is a great creative outlet,” he said. “It helps students think outside the box, to find solutions to problems, and it builds a sense of comradery and a sense of kinship among fellow students.” He added, “It also helps to develop lifelong relationships even after high school is done.”

The donated funds will help the school put on next year’s spring musical, which involves 30 to 35 student performers. Meanwhile, St. Barnabas’s Winterfest production, slated for January 2022, will be performed by most of the students at the all-girls school, with the male parts performed by students of St. Barnabas’s affiliate, Mount St. Michael Academy.

Eighth grade student, Rafaela Rica, said of the program, “I was a very shy person. I had a lot of anxiety, especially about starting high school, but as I got more comfortable in the school and more comfortable in the drama club, it’s helped me project my voice, like when I’m doing a presentation.”

Rafaela explained that she used to speak very fast. “I still may need to work on that, but I’ve learned to speak a little slower and dictate my words.” She added, “The money will be put to great use.”

St. Barnabas High School is an independent, college-preparatory high school that has educated young women since 1924. Educational programs include a three-tier academic curriculum with advanced placement, Honors and Regents classes, as well as support services and portfolio assessments.

Donating funds to support music programs at local Bronx schools is not the only good news that has garnered Teddy Cars some attention. The car dealership, which specializes in Nissans and Volkswagens, was named America’s #1 Nissan dealer in 2019.

*Síle Moloney contributed to this story.