35 Stanford Thompson 2012 Health Leader Stanford Thompson is founder and executive director of Play On, Philly! The program seeks to create change through musical training for young people living in challenging economic and social conditions. Since 2012, Mr. Thompson has increased the number of students participating in Play On, Philly! and has hired new teachers and staff to match the program’s growth. Five years ago, Play On, Philly! had 105 students in grades one through six. Today it has 315 students who range from kindergarten to 12th grade. During this time, he has also added two programs. In one new program, Mr. Thompson has selected 30 students who he says have grown musically. He is helping them to develop their talents further so they can have careers in music. Mr. Thompson has also started a symphony orchestra with 70 students. One of his biggest challenges has been to find the right teachers, ones who want to make a long-term commitment to the program. He has also had to raise more money. “Sometimes raising money was like it was falling off trees, and at other times it was very challenging,” Mr. Thompson says. On a personal level, Mr. Thompson says he has grown as a leader. “I learned you can’t have all the control, you have to share it,” he says. “I can’t teach more than 300 kids by myself. I need help from my friends to do that.” —By Healthy Bulletin staff Marshall Street Elementary School Reporters from the Marshall Street Healthy Bulletin discuss the work of Play On Philly! with Stanford Thompson, a 2012 health leader in Leading Healthy Change In Our Communities.