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Travis Kelce funded 87 scholarships for young musicians in Reading, PA — and Taylor Swift’s dedication speech made the crowd fall silent…
Inspired by the number 87, referencing a lyric from Taylor’s song “You Belong With Me,” Travis set up scholarships to support aspiring artists from Taylor’s hometown. At the unveiling, Taylor shared a personal story about her struggles and hopes, leaving everyone deeply moved.
In Reading, Pennsylvania, a small city that had quietly shaped a global superstar, the community center buzzed with anticipation on a crisp autumn evening. Travis Kelce, known for his heart as much as his athletic prowess, had chosen this place—Taylor Swift’s hometown—to make a difference. Inspired by the number 87, a nod to his jersey and a lyric from Taylor’s You Belong With Me (“She wears short skirts, I wear T-shirts, he’s number 87”), he funded 87 scholarships for young musicians, giving aspiring artists a chance to chase their dreams. But it was Taylor’s dedication speech at the unveiling, raw and heartfelt, that brought the crowd to a hushed, tearful silence.
Travis had always admired Taylor’s roots, the way she spoke of Reading with a mix of pride and nostalgia. “It’s where I learned to dream,” she’d told him once, recounting late nights strumming her guitar in her childhood bedroom. When Travis learned that many local kids lacked access to music education, he saw an opportunity to honor both Taylor and the town that raised her. He quietly established the “87 Dreams Fund,” a scholarship program to cover instruments, lessons, and college tuition for young musicians. Each of the 87 recipients was chosen for their passion, not just their talent, reflecting Taylor’s own journey from small-town dreamer to global icon.
The unveiling was planned as a surprise. Travis invited Taylor to what she thought was a community concert, keeping the scholarship details under wraps. The Reading Community Center was packed with families, local leaders, and 87 nervous teens clutching guitars, violins, and lyric notebooks. Travis took the stage first, his presence commanding yet warm. “This town gave the world someone special,” he said, glancing at Taylor in the front row. “Tonight, we’re giving 87 kids a chance to shine, just like she did.” The crowd cheered as he announced the scholarships, each worth $10,000, funded through his foundation and matched by local donors.
Then he called Taylor to the stage. She walked up, visibly moved, her eyes scanning the young faces in the crowd. “I didn’t know about this,” she admitted, her voice catching as she looked at Travis. “But I know what it’s like to be you,” she said, turning to the scholarship recipients. “To feel like your dreams are too big for a small town.” The room grew quiet as she began her dedication speech, her words unscripted and raw.
“When I was 13, I’d sit in my room, writing songs about things I hadn’t lived yet,” she said. “I was scared—scared I’d never be enough, scared no one would listen. There were nights I cried, thinking I’d never make it. But Reading believed in me. My family, my teachers, this community—they gave me the courage to keep going.” She paused, her eyes glistening. “And now, because of Travis, 87 of you get that same chance. You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be you. Write your truth, sing your heart, and don’t ever stop.”
The crowd was silent, hanging on every word. A few teens wiped tears, clutching their scholarship letters. Taylor’s voice softened. “I see myself in you—every doubt, every hope. And I promise, your songs matter.” She turned to Travis, her smile trembling. “Thank you for seeing this town the way I do, and for giving these kids what you’ve always given me: belief.”
The silence broke into thunderous applause, parents and kids alike standing, some crying, others hugging. The 87 recipients, ranging from drummers to vocalists, took the stage, each sharing a brief dream—a girl who wanted to write protest songs, a boy aiming for Broadway. Travis stood beside Taylor, his hand on her shoulder, his own eyes misty. “You’re the real MVP tonight,” he whispered, and she laughed, wiping a tear.
The event became a celebration. The recipients performed a group song, a medley of Taylor’s hits arranged by a local music teacher, with You Belong With Me as the centerpiece. The lyric “he’s number 87” drew cheers, with Travis grinning sheepishly. The scholarships, renewable for four years, ensured these kids could pursue music without financial burden, and the community center launched free workshops to keep the momentum going.
Word of Taylor’s speech spread quickly. Clips posted on X went viral, with fans dissecting her vulnerability and Travis’s generosity. #87Dreams trended, alongside stories from recipients about how the scholarships changed their lives. One girl, 15-year-old Ava, used her funds to buy a guitar and record her first demo, dedicating it to Taylor. “She made me feel seen,” Ava said in a local interview, her words echoing across social media.
The 87 Dreams Fund became a cornerstone of Reading’s identity. The community center, now a hub for young artists, hosted open mic nights, with Travis and Taylor occasionally dropping by to cheer. Taylor kept a photo of the event on her desk, the 87 kids beaming around her and Travis. “You gave them wings,” she told him one night, her voice soft. He shrugged, his smile warm. “You gave me the playbook.”
Years later, the first scholarship recipients began to shine—some signed record deals, others taught music to the next generation. At a reunion concert, Taylor and Travis returned to Reading, where Ava performed her debut single. The crowd fell silent again, not for a speech, but for the sound of a dream coming true, sparked by 87 scholarships and a love that believed in possibility.