GITC Teens Thank the Andrew Triplett Memorial Foundation

When Andrew David Triplett was little, he fell head-over-heels in love with playing the guitar, just like his father. It filled his young heart, and he made a mission out of getting everyone he met to pick up a guitar and strum. His enthusiasm was contagious! As you can see from the joyful certainty in his eyes, he was determined to share that love. He graduated in 2005 from Herndon High School in Virginia, a talented guitarist with a deep appreciation of a variety of artists and genres.

Music was an essential part of Andrew's life, helping him live with purpose, and giving him support through difficult times. When he passed away unexpectedly in 2015, he left behind him many whose lives had been blessed for having known him. Determined to find the light to move forward, his deeply loving and supportive parents, Jodi and Dave, decided to carry on in their son's memory, founding the Andrew Triplett Memorial Foundation.

Every year since its inception, the organization has awarded partial college scholarships annually to two Herndon High School seniors who were willing to share their stories of how music had a positive impact on their lives, academically or personally, changing their lives in times of adversity and challenge. Fast forward to 2025, after 10 years of local service, and 20 scholarships had been awarded, their Board of Directors felt their hometown mission had been achieved, and they wished to give Andrew's passion a new pathway for expression with us at Guitars and Ukes in the Classroom. 

I received the game-changing phone call in May from Jodi Sleeper-Triplett at a dramatic moment when my own brother's life was truly hanging in the balance. Answering my cell phone from a hallway outside his hospital room in the cardiac wing of Northwestern Memorial in Chicago, while medical teams were bustling in and out to administer care, I found myself connecting with this sister-in-spirit whose own career is dedicated to supporting and guiding neuro-divergent learners, their families, and teachers. We connected immediately, heart to heart, about Andrew. Andrew also happens to be my brother's name. I know some of you reading are thinking, "Well, that was a Hand of God moment." Yes, it was.

Jodi added Dave to the call, and there we were. She explained that, when they formed the foundation for their son, unbeknownst to me, they learned of our charity. Their board decided that, should they ever decide their mission was complete, they would pass any remaining funds along to GITC. 

That day was profound for all of us. It also developed into the first, crucial turning point in my own brother's recovery. Now, eight months later, he is living his best life!

Thanks to Andrew and Dave Triplett, and Jodi Sleeper-Triplett, and the Andrew Triplett Memorial Foundation board members and donors, we are grateful to be able to share a special new fund called Guitars from Andrew.

This fund is assisting us to award deserving and dedicated high school guitar students who are learning in our Strummers Clubs in San Diego and Los Angeles with their own Forever Guitars and supplies. Getting a Guitar from Andrew means these students are able to practice guitar at home, share their love of guitar with their family and friends as Andrew did, and can continue playing after they graduate high school. Andrew lives on in our hearts as his legacy opens an incredibly healing, engaging, and meaningful musical pathway for young people in need. 

In the words of Henri Frédéric Amiel, "Life is short and we have never too much time for gladdening the hearts of those who are traveling the dark journey with us. Oh be swift to love, make haste to be kind." Thank you, Andrew, Jodi and Dave for permitting us the honor of sharing your kindness and shining your light into the lives of so many committed, passionate, deserving, and creative teens. May you be blessed as you bless others.

With utmost gratitude,
​
Jess