Band boosters say thanks (8/23/04)

The summer marching season has once again ended for Jay County’s ambassadors, the Marching Patriot Band and Guard. Despite having one of the wettest and coldest summer marching seasons in recent years, the band and guard gave their total effort and dedication each time they competed.

“The Pride of Jay County” represented us well. Their patriotic show, “The American Experience,” was a fitting tribute to the sentiments we value both in our county and our country. These 180 young people embody the very traits which have always made America great; be proud of them.

Besides the weather, this season was noteworthy in at least one other way. Mr. David Humbert, the only band director that JCHS has ever known, was directing for his last time, as he will retire at the end of the 2004-05 school year. To say he will be sorely missed is an understatement. Jay County has been the recipient of his many talents for decades. Under his direction, the JCHS band has established a tradition of excellence unrivaled by any other school in the state. Jay County has finished in the top three at the Indiana State Fair since 1989, winning in both 1992 and 2001. More important than that record, however, is the legacy he leaves of teaching and touching the lives of thousands of students, helping them become their best.

Of course, Mr. Humbert has surrounded himself with a staff that is equally excellent; rest assured, the JCHS tradition will continue with the inexhaustible help of Bev Arnold, Lori Mark, Kelly Smeltzer, Pete Vogler and Ray Hauser. In addition, the junior staff, all former Patriot band members, was also a huge part of the equation. Jason Hart, Leslie Schwartzkopf, Adam Ford, Brittany Marshall, Matt Harris and Cale Hearn each contributed selflessly and significantly.

As the summer ends, we would like to say thank you to the scores of people who have also aided in the success of the band:

•To the officers and area coordinators: Jeri Franks, Jim Myers, Mindy Weaver, Jane Miller, Deb Whitesell, Tina O’Dell, Kathy Ayers and Violet Current. Your help has been tremendous and makes the Band Boosters the strong organization that it is.

•The Promotional Committee: Co-chairs Kay Louth and Kathy Ayers, Lisa Barnett, Robin Alberson, Vickie Rines, Barb Stults, Linda Vesperry, Teresa Kelly, Crystal Chapman, Helene Hartzell, Lisa Price, Ruth Twigg, Amy Sutton, Mindy Weaver, Conny Knight, Susan Bunch, Julie Barlow, Irene Taylor, Nancy and David Nixon, Robbin Fullenkamp, Kris Wolford, Rita Dunn, Renee Blumenhorst, Lora Byrum, Lorette Horn and Ginger Roughia. You did an amazing job and the kids appreciated it.

•To all those who sewed uniforms for the guard members and mended rips, tears, sewed buttons, etc: Priscilla McFarland, Jennifer McFarland, Madonna Phelps, Penny Thomas and Janie Meehan. Also, special thanks to Jim Myers and Allen Morrical for constructing the tables for the guard members. You are unsung heroes to the band.

•To the Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Pak-A-Sak, Portland True Value, Old National Bank, Culligan Water/E&S Leasing/Terry and Renee Blumenhorst, Blue Flame, Pennville Pantry/Marathon and McDonald’s for supplying water (200 bottles or more) for each of the competitions and two times on State Fair Band Day. Thanks also to LoBill Foods and Wal-Mart for their donations and to Rick and Violet Current for making ice for each competition. Your generosity is an integral part of summer competitions. The students look forward to the drinks after marching.

•To my wife, Nora, for all her help and support.

•To Shane and Jackie Houck for generously providing Gatorade (and plenty of it) for the band kids at the state fair. They loved it and felt like royalty.

•To the band and guard parents who gave of their time and money to chaperone at band camp at Miami University. Your willingness to play parent to 180 students was appreciated.

•To the parents who supplied drinks for the band members during rehearsals. The drinks were always a welcome break. Also, thanks to Ron Krieg and the Jay School Corporation for fogging for mosquitoes.

•To the Lions Clubs of Jay County for sponsoring our local band contest and their continued recognition of our youth every year.

•To the Portland Optimist Clubs for providing extra ice for our coolers on State Fair Band Day. You continue to live out your motto: Friend of Youth.

•To the band parents who dispensed water at the local band contest to all of the marching bands who competed. Your dedication was obvious; the weather was quite damp.

•To The Commercial Review and Rob Weaver/WPGW for their coverage of the contests. Thank you for your support and recognition of all the band and guard members through the use of pictures, editorials and radio interviews.

•To the area businesses that displayed pictures and signs saluting the band throughout the season and especially during the period leading up to State Fair. The countywide support is incredible.

•To the Jay County Sheriff’s Department and Mitch Sutton for the escort on State Fair Band Day. It was a great sendoff. Special thanks also for the salute from the fire, police and EMS vehicles in Redkey.

•To the Jay County community for your support through donations and your attendance at the competitions and the ice cream social/state fair dress rehearsal. Also, thanks to everyone who supplied a two-wheeled cart (there were about 15 of you). Our community will not be outdone.

•To Lee and Sharon Newman for pulling the band trailer to every competition and trip that the band and guard take. Your attention to details is endless and your dedication is remarkable.

•To the Jay Patriot Band Boosters for all their time and resources you volunteer each year. Some of you still help out after your children have graduated. We are lucky to have your support.

•To our beloved, dedicated bus drivers who are really part of the extended band family: Jim Vermillion, Kay Hough, Kay Alexander, Cathy Crouch and Nancy Cline. Thank you all.

•To our great band staff: Thank you. Thank you for teaching our sons and daughters how to play music and march. More than that, thank you for teaching them about excellence, about believing that they can accomplish amazing feats, and about being part of a huge family that works, laughs, cries and celebrates together. Thank you for teaching them about life lessons. You are truly part of the treasure in Jay County and we are proud to claim you as our own.

•And finally, a note of thanks to the Jay County Marching Patriot Band and Guard: We love you and are proud of you. Never underestimate what you have accomplished this year. Please see beyond the labels of “second” or “third.” These are just numbers. Granted, they would be very good numbers to almost any other band — but they are still only numbers. You have the respect and support of your entire community, the love of your parents and friends, and memories from this summer that will last a lifetime. Revel in knowing that you were part of something exciting and wonderful. You accomplished what few others could; you gave it your all. And let that hunger to achieve even more propel you into next year’s season.

It is obvious that it takes many caring individuals to maintain this excellent tradition. Thank each of you for your part. Let us also resolve to continue this local treasure.

Dolphus Stephens, president,

Jay Patriots Band Boosters[[In-content Ad]]