Senate Concurrent Resolution 581

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE COLUMBIA HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING WILDCATS BAND AND DIRECTOR REUBEN MCDOWELL FOR WINNING THE 2011 MHSAA CLASS 4A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP AND FOR THEIR TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE.

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

WHEREAS, since the inception of the State Marching Band Championships in 2004, the Columbia Band has never finished lower than 2nd Place, with State Championships in 2004, 2007, 2008 and 2011 and finishing 2nd Place in 2005, 2006, 2009 and 2010. No other band program in the state can boast a record without a finish below 2nd Place. Columbia High School is extremely proud of the achievements of their students and staff in the band program. They are the result of many years of hard work; and

WHEREAS, the Columbia High School Band awards history include: 2011 - Mississippi Class 4A State Marching Band Championships, Grand Champions; 2011 - DISNEY'S MAGIC MUSIC DAYS, Electric Light Parade (Feature Band); 2010 - Mississippi Class 4A State Marching Band Championships, 2nd Place; 2009 - Mississippi Class 4A State Marching Band Championships, 2nd Place; 2008 - McDonald's STATE STREET THANKSGIVING PARADE, Chicago, Illinois, Nationally Televised by WGN; 2008 - Mississippi Class 3A State Marching Band Championships, Grand Champions; 2007 - Mississippi Class 3A State Marching Band Championships, Grand Champions; 2007 - SMOKY MOUNTAIN MUSIC FESTIVAL PARADE, 1st Place, Gatlinburg, Tennessee; 2006 - Mississippi Class 3A State Marching Band Championships, 2nd Place; 2005 - Mississippi Class 3A State Marching Band Championships, 2nd Place; 2005 - Invitation to KING KAMEHAMEHA CULTURAL PARADE, Honolulu, Hawaii; 2004 - Mississippi Class 3A State Marching Band Championships, Grand Champions, Inaugural year for the State Marching Band Championships; 2003 - Disney's MAGIC MUSIC DAYS Parade, Orlando, Florida; 2001 - Marshall Fields JINGLE ELF PARADE, Chicago, Illinois, televised performance; 1998 - MUSIC IN THE PARKS, Washington, D.C.; 1996 - Six Flags POPS IN THE PARKS, Dallas, Texas; 1993 - Six Flags JAZZ IN THE PARK, Atlanta, Georgia; 1989 - ALL AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL, Orlando, Florida; 1985 - INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL, Mexico City, Mexico, Bronze Medal (Symphonic Band) and Bronze Medal (Marching Band); 1981 - INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL, Ottawa, Canada, Silver Medal (Wind Ensemble), Bronze Medal (Marching Band) and Bronze Medal (Jazz Band); 1977 - NATIONAL CHERRY BLOSSOM PARADE, Washington, D.C.; 1973 - INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL, Vienna, Austria; and 1960 NATIONAL CHERRY BLOSSOM PARADE, Washington, D.C.; and also hundreds of Superior Ratings at Regional and State Band Festivals in: Concert Band, Marching Band, Sight-Reading, Color Guard Drum Line, Drum Major and Student Conductor; and

WHEREAS, the 2011-2012 Columbia High School Band students include: 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, Cori 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. The Band Directors and Staff include: 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, Columbia High School received the Mississippi State Accountability rating of "STAR School" for 2011, and it is with great pride that we recognize this achievement by a group of talented students who have brought honor to their school, their community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Columbia High School Marching Wildcats Band and Director Reuben McDowell for winning the 2011 MHSAA Class 4A State Championship with a show entitled "Quest for Gold," and extend our best wishes to the band, staff, parents and sponsors for future success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Director Reuben McDowell and Columbia High School Principal Sheila Burbridge, forwarded to the Columbia School Board, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.