Actor and singer Taye Diggs announces donation to School of the Arts

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Award-winning actor and singer Taye Diggs announced Wednesday that a donation from AdoptAClassroom.org and Burlington Stores will make it possible for School of the Arts (SOTA) teachers to buy supplies for their classrooms.

Diggs announced a more than $75,000 donation will make it possible for every SOTA teacher to buy $750 dollars’ worth of supplies.

Diggs graduated from SOTA in 1994 and went on to star in Broadway musicals “Rent” and “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” as well as play Coach Billy Baker on the TV show “All American”.

Diggs announced the donation on a call with teachers, saying, “I wouldn’t be where I am today were it not for School of the Arts. My mother was a teacher and there has always been a large place in my heart for teachers. I was able to experience the power and influence that teachers have when I went to School of the Arts. What teachers do is incredible and I wanted to thank you.”

He also encouraged people to donate $1 or more at Burlington Stores to support AdoptAClassroom.org. The donations help offset the money some teachers pay out-of-pocket for supplies for their students.