An anonymous donor has eliminated the $100 pay-to-play fee for every student athlete and marching band member at Sparta Middle and High Schools for the 2026-2027 school year.

The benefactor approached Sparta High School last week looking for a way to give back to the community. School officials provided the cost to cover all participants. The donor agreed to pay it.

A financial barrier removed

The donation covers athletic participation fees and marching band fees for all middle and high school students starting in the fall. Pay-to-play fees for fall sports were originally due in July.

"They wanted to know how much it would cost to cover the pay-to-play fees for all of our student athletes and our band members, and so we were able to get that information to them, and they said, you know what, that's what we want to do, we want to help," said Stacy Rumsey, Sparta High School principal.

Sparta Band Director Samuel Beeson said the fee had kept some families from joining the marching band.

"We've got a couple of families who are really interested in doing marching band that might have some financial barriers. I mean, I don't think it's any secret that marching band can be a very expensive thing," Beeson said.

Students feel the impact immediately

Abbigail Partridge, a sophomore in the marching band, estimated the donation covers about 60 band members alone.

"My first thought was that's a lot of money, because like that's $100 for like 60 kids, and I'm just so, so grateful, because that takes off a lot of stress from a lot of students and a lot of parents," Partridge said.

Grace Schmid, a sophomore who plays basketball and softball, said the donation opens doors for students who otherwise could not afford to compete.

"Some people can't play a sport because of that, and like it's just really kind that they can now, because someone did this for them, and probably really grateful for that too," Schmid said.

A message to the community

Josh Sepanik, Sparta Area Schools Athletic Director, called the donation "spectacular" for the student body. He wrote in an email to News 8 that the gift eases financial hardship for families and expands opportunities for students who may not have believed participation was possible.

"To be able to help the next generation of students be able to participate in extracurricular activities and be able to achieve their goals and their dreams. I mean, that's fantastic," Sepanik said.

Beeson said he wished he could thank the donor personally. The donor chose to remain anonymous.

"I wish I could thank them personally, but I can't. That's the whole point, but it means a lot to a lot to my students, a lot to my community. So, thank you," Beeson said.

The Sparta Area Schools district serves the Rockford, Cedar Springs, and Sparta community in Kent County. The donation affects both middle and high school students across athletics and marching band programs.