3rd Annual Marching Giants Awards Banquet

The Marching Giants meet in the HS cafeteria on Monday, November 26, to celebrate the 245 students on their 2012 marching season.  The first award was presented, in the cafeteria; to the outstanding Crew Member and was awarded to Joe Stovall, II.  Joe’s hard work and dedication to the Marching Giants earned him this honor.  Dave Cole, director, released the seniors and their parents to enjoy the catered food from Jug’s Catering.  They provided their famous fried chicken and biscuits with apple butter, green beans, pasta salad, and mashed potatoes.  Then Cole released the junior, sophomores and finally the freshman to enjoy the evenings dinner.  After everyone was finished, they relocated to the auditorium for the awards presentation.

Once everyone had settled into the auditorium, the awards presentation began.  All the directors took turns announcing names of the 83 students that had accomplished perfect attendance.  This is no small feat considering practice starts in July and runs through November with football games and contest in there as well.  The “Most Improved” section was the Tuba section; followed by the “Most Outstanding Section” being awarded to the Battery (percussion).  The directors recognized the 2012 Drum Majors, Kelsey Mendenhall, senior, Michael Whiteside, senior, Beth Smalley, junior, Kevin Salinas, junior, and Grace Ishikawa, junior.  The senior drum majors were awarded plaques for their service and dedication.  Band awards were presented next, they included:
 
Outstanding 1st Year:
     Nicole Zellers and Pedro Martinez

Outstanding Freshman:
     Julianna Flick and Nicholas Fordyce

Outstanding Sophomore: 
     Katherine Holsapple, Herson Madrid, and David Carney

Outstanding Junior:  
     Jacque Jordan and Brandon Knop

Outstanding Senior:  
     Jayashree Brown-Riddles andBryce Lee

Outstanding Mental Attitude:  
     Sierra Graves and Amanda Bell

Outstanding Brass:  
     Taylor Bennett and Chad Bridgwaters

Outstanding Woodwind:  
     Eric Ehizokhale

Outstanding Battery:  
     Joe Stovall, III

Outstanding Front Ensemble:  
     Martell Person

Outstanding Rifle:  
     Drue Rodeghier

Outstanding Flag:  
     Ashley Earnest

Outstanding 1^st Year Guard:  
     Kylee Vaughn

Outstanding Color Guard:  
     Annabella Habegger

Miss Choreography:  
     Sierra Graves

Mr. Choreography:  
     Jaden Sheppard and Jack Akard

Miss Feet: 
     Paige Hutson

Mr. Feet: 
     Jevon Robinson

Miss Marching Giant:  
     Kelsey Mendenhall

Mr. Marching Giant: 
     Tyler Blythe

Once all the awards were handed out, the audience enjoyed the 2012 reflections slide show which included over 500 pictures from the past year.  Congratulations to all those achieving awards and to all that had any involvement with the awarding 2012 Marching Giants.

Now that the marching season is over, the students continue their music enrichment by participating in Jazz Band, Show Band, All-State Band, Winter Percussion, Winter Guard, ISSMA Solo, Ensemble and State qualifications, Ben Davis Symphony Orchestra and Pep Band.  Music is their Life!