House Resolution 82

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE COLUMBIA HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND ON WINNING THE MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION CLASS 4A STATE MARCHING BAND CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, on October 29, 2011, the Columbia High School Marching Band, under the direction of Reuben McDowell, won the 2011 Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 4A State Championship with a show entitled "Quest For Gold"; and

WHEREAS, since the inception of the State Marching Band Championships in 2004, the Columbia High School Marching Band has never finished lower than second place, proving that this band is one of the greater contenders in this state; and

WHEREAS, the band has much to boast about, with its impressive record of state championship titles from the years 2004, 2007, 2008 and 2011, and its runner-up titles from the years 2005, 2006, 2009 and 2010; and

WHEREAS, with such a remarkable record held only by the Columbia High School Marching Band, the faculty and staff of Columbia High School, a "Star School," and the school district are immeasurably proud of their student band members and appreciate the hard work and dedication that has gone into orchestrating such a superior band; and

WHEREAS, aside from the state championship titles held by the Columbia High School Marching Band, the band has also been awarded numerous honors and awards elsewhere in the nation, including: 2011 Disney's Magic Music Days, Feature Band, Orlando, Florida; 2008 McDonald's State Street Thanksgiving Parade, Chicago, Illinois; 2007 Smoky Mountain Music Festival Parade, First Place, Gatlinburg, Tennessee; 2005 King Kamehameha Cultural Parade, Invitee, Honolulu, Hawaii; 2003 Disney's Magic Music Days Parade, Feature Band, Orlando; 2001 Marshall Fields Jingle Elf Parade, televised performance, Chicago; 1998 Music in the Parks, Washington, D.C.; 1996 Six Flags Pops in the Parks, Dallas, Texas; 1993 Six Flags Jazz in the Parks, Atlanta, Georgia; 1989 All American Music Festival, Orlando; 1985 International Music Festival, Bronze Medal in both Symphonic Band and Marching Band, Mexico City, Mexico; 1981 International Music Festival, Ottawa, Canada, Silver Medal in Wind Ensemble, Bronze Medal in both Jazz Band and Marching Band; 1977 National Cherry Blossom Parade, Washington, D.C.; 1973 International Music Festival, Vienna, Austria; 1960 National Cherry Blossom Parade, Washington, D.C.; and also hundreds of Superior Ratings at Regional and State Band Festivals in the following categories: Concert Band, Marching Band, Sight-Reading, Color Guard Drum Line, Drum Major and Student Conductor; and

WHEREAS, the 2011-2012 Columbia High School Marching Band roster consists of the following students: Carissa Abram; Gigi Alexander; Rickey Allen; Sherice Andrews; Corey Arinder; Emily Armstrong; Adrianna Averett; Hayden Barnes; Cody Bass; Courtney Blair; Ashley Boone; Alex Bounds; Marissa Bounds; Allen Boutwell; Laurie Beth Boutwell; Jonathan Boyd; Tyler Broom; Alantra Brown; Aries Brown; Jay Brown; Chelsey Brumfield; Alex Byrd; Olivia Cagle; Sandy Carpenter; Justin Cavanaugh; Cody Cawley; Savannah Clark; Kiera Collins; Hope Cook; Jalon Cooper; Treston Cox; Alayna Croom; Crystal Daniels; Riley Davis; Zack Davis; Ashley Delancey; Con Dubose; Brooke Dunaway; Braxton Dupuy; Shanna Dyess; Tanner Eisworth; Wardricka Franklin; Taylor Gaughf; Bryanna Gholar; Quinton Gibson; Keaton Griffith; Presleigh Griffith; Jashard Hall; Natalia Hampton; Destiny Hart; Rock Hunter; Dee Isaac; Anika Jackson; Mandy James; Hannah Johnson; Jasmine Johnson; Rashawn Johnson; Treasure Johnson; Leken Kelly; Emily Kelly; Cody King; Courtney King; Emily Kline; Sam Landrum; Jamesha Lott; Ryan Lowery; Ashley Luethje; Abby Magee; Andrew Magee; Arianna Magee; Aaron Maliden; Jansen Mark; Rickey Markins; Alex Martin; Jewel Martin; Jasmine Matthews; Gabe May; Seth McCain; Jakadrick McCorkle; Precious McCorkle; Aaron McKenzie; Amy Miller; Jonathan Mobley; Mary Holt Mock; Landon Monk; Jocelyn Morris; Devin Newton; Katie Nolan; Myla Oatis; Rosemary O'Quin; Hadassah Otten; Michayla Owens; Raven Pangle; Chelsea Patterson; Haylee Pierce; Anquinette Pittman; Lauren Pounds; Faith Prats; Montana Prejean; Andrew Prine; Nathaniel Putnam; Breanne Ramshur; Kim Riley; Natia Roberts; Zac Robertson; Rashaun Robinson; David Rollins; Michael Russell; David Sartin; Brittany Sauls; Anasyia Searcy; Haley Sellers; Allie Sikes; Camisha Simon; Johneice Simon; Tiara Sims; Daniel Sloan; Kayla Smith; Hannah Sones; Eric Speights; Donovan Stogner; Kylah Thomas; Ariana Thompson; Cody Trigg; Ayanna Walker; Akeylah Washington; Adam Weatherford; John Taylor Wesley; Demarius Wilks; and Wesley Young; and

WHEREAS, the Columbia High School Marching Band has been superbly directed by: Reuben McDowell, Director; William Frazier, Assistant Director; Bill Thompson, Assistant Director; Chris Turnage, Color Guard; Staff: Keleigh Gaughf, Ricardo Robinson, Ryan Luethje, Cody Logan and Ben Watts; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend the achievements by a group of such talented students who have brought honor to their school, their community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Columbia High School Marching Band and Director Reuben McDowell for winning the 2011 Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 4A Marching Band State Championship with their hit showcase performance, "Quest for Gold," and extend best wishes for continued success in all of their future academic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Band Director Reuben McDowell, Columbia High School Principal Sheila Burbridge, the Columbia School District and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.