CRESTVIEW — Fourteen senior members of the Crestview High School band have earned nearly a quarter of a million dollars in scholarships to colleges and universities around the country.
Their achievements were celebrated at Thursday’s College Signing Day in the band room.
Like high school athletes’ spring signing day, the students’ families gathered proudly behind each musician, flanked by band director Jody Dunn, Crestview High Principal Dexter Day and assistant director Charlie Anderson.
“We need to celebrate every kid’s accomplishments: athletes, scholars, artists, whatever they may be,” Dunn said. “Every kid who goes for this kind of thing and gets rewarded, that needs to be celebrated.”
Dunn said the students’ participation in the band is as attractive to universities as athletic and academic achievement.
“There are real dollars to be found in band,” he said. “You can see real, practical scholarship dollars here because these kids are in band.”
To the seniors’ underclass band peers, Dunn said, “There are all kinds of ways you can pay for your college if you stay in school, make good grades and practice your instrument.”
The fourteen seniors will attend universities ranging from the University of West Florida, Troy State and Auburn Universities to the U.S. Air Force Academy.
“I’m really excited about college,” Savannah Barefield, who will attend the University of Southern Mississippi, said. “I plan to major in music education.”
Dunn also praised the students’ parents for supporting and encouraging their children.
“Parents don’t get a pat on the back very often for the work they do,” he said. “It’s nice to have them here to be recognized for what they do for their children.”
After bursts of camera flashes and applause subsided, drummer Pablo Ranlett-López said, “OK, I’m ready. Let’s go to college!”
CRESTVIEW HIGH BAND SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
Savannah Barefield: University of Southern Mississippi; Major: Music Education; total scholarships: $64,000
Shelby Fletcher: Marion Military Institute, Marion, Ala. and U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo.; Majors: engineering, economics: Falcon Scholarship: $85,000
Coltin Fortner: University of Mobile, Ala.; Majors: music education and worship leadership; Minor: intercultural studies; Scholarships and awards total: $12,000
Angelica Garcia: Southeastern University, Lakeland, Fla.; Majors: music education, performance; Scholarships: $15,000
Esther Hunker: University of Mobile, Ala.; Major: nursing; Minor: intercultural studies; Scholarships total: $2,000/semester
Quinn McCardie: University of West Florida; Major: music; clarinet performance scholarship: $16,000
Caleb Overton: Harding University, Searcy, Ark. Majors: music, computer science; Total scholarships and awards: $26,300
Pablo Ranlett-López: University of Southern Mississippi; Majors: jazz studies, music education; Total scholarships: $32,000
Chris Rigney: Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, La.; Major: instrumental music; Scholarship totals: $14,000
Nathan Shaw: Auburn University; Major: mechanical and nuclear engineering; Scholarship: $24,000
Claire Shetler: University of West Florida; Major: nursing; Nautilus Scholarship recipient (amount not specified)
Chris Teboe: Johnson and Whales University, Providence, R.I.; Majors: pre-med, wildlife rehabilitation, zoology and food nutrition; Prostart Scholarship: $12,000
Joshua Williams: Troy University; Major: music education; Scholarships total: $40,000
Kathryn Wisenbaker: Fortis Institute, Pensacola; Major: nursing; Scholarship: $500
Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview High band seniors earn $250,000 in college scholarships