Gilmer High School Band Awards
Community May 18, 2011
On Monday, May 16th, the Gilmer High School band and colorguard held their awards ceremony in the GHS cafeteria at six o’clock. Numerous awards were delivered as well as several people were recognized.Band member, Stormie Dean, opened the night with a prayer, which was followed by the distribution of food provided by Dairy Queen and band parents. Seniors Emma Ford and Holly Chester, began to recognize this year’s band boosters, the parents who provided assistance to the band through out the year. The boosters for the upcoming 2011-2012 school were announced as well.
(Photo by Christian Nicholson)
Band sponsor Mr. Ford carried along the night as he recognized first year band members, issuing to them a chevron for their letter jackets. He then recognized the second year band members, who lettered in band, and then the third and fourth year band members, who also received a chevron for their jackets.
Mr. Ford then began to present the awards. The first award given was the Bobcat Award, presented to seniors Michael Sheahan and Katlyn Cass.
Will Luke, Nolan Walker, Sara Weaver, and Jennifer Treadway took the Most Improved Award for the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade classes respectively, and Thomas Leonard was the Overall Most Improved band member.
The Most Valuable/Most Outstanding Awards for each class went to freshman, Haley Brown, sophomore, Haley Stanski, junior, Catrina May, and senior Emma Ford. Carol Chadwick received the Overall Most Valuable award.
The Jazz band was then recognized. Austin Talbot took the Most Improved jazz band member and AJ Davis took the Most Outstanding Jazz band member Award for the 2010-2011 school year.
The colorguard sponsor, Mrs Kerlin, was unable to attend the awards ceremony; therefore, Mr. Ford continued on with the awards that recognized the colorguard team. Faith Chester was presented with the Best Rookie Award. Captain Rin Pell got Most Dedicated, while Most Outstanding Leadership went to her Co-Captain April Hensley. Emily Scales was presented with the Most Improved award, and Best Overall went to Chelsie Nicholson.
(Photo by LT Melton)
Mr. Ford then acknowledged a few of the more prestigious awards. The Joy Parker Award was presented to Emma Ford. Most Outstanding Section Leaders Award winners were Olivia and Montana Burnett. Amie Walker was acknowledged as the Most Outstanding Drum Major for the second year in a row. Colby Pflueger was given the Outstanding Musicianship award, and AJ Davis was presented with the Director’s Award. The John Philip Susar Award, the highest award the band distributes every year, was given to senior Holly Davis.
Mrs. Renee Walker, president of the Band Boosters and mother of drum major Amie Walker, then presented a select few seniors with scholarship money as they begin their journeys in college. Emma Ford, Carol Chadwick, Olivia Burnett, Amie Walker, and Holly Chester were all presented with scholarships.
Emma Ford and Holly Chester once again took the floor to recognize next year’s officers:
Haley Stanski – Drum Major
Catrina May – Band President
Maria Ford – Vice President
Stormie Dean – Chaplin
Courtney Walker – Sophomore Representative
Caitlin Sanford – Junior Representative
Courtney Underwood – Senior Representative.
The night closed as Mrs. Walker wished the seniors farewell and presented Mr. Ford and Mrs. Kerlin with appreciation plaques for all they have done for the band and colorguard during the year.