MILTON — Sports scholarship signings in Milton High School’s auditorium are common place, but this week, the band had its turn.
Nineteen MHS seniors signed scholarships or letters of intent with University of Southern Mississippi, Pensacola State College, University of West Florida, Troy University, William Carey University and the University of Florida.
MHS Director of Bands Gray Weaver said organizing Tuesday night’s ceremony was a first for the school.
“We thought this would be a great opportunity to recognize those seniors,” he said. “Our students, on average with the marching band, put in about nine to 10 hours of after-school rehearsal a week.”
In addition to performing at several football stadiums and pep rallies, Weaver said band students perform during parades and other community events.
“Once all of that is done, we break into three different concert bands and each gives, on average, three to four performances a year as well.”
Several of the seniors said their band experience has aided their personal growth.
“I have learned a lot about being a leader … about working as a team and as a unit with other people,” said Daniel Lezcano, MHS’s band captain and horn section leader. He will play French Horn for the University of Florida.
Daniel’s mother, Alice, said his band involvement has been a positive experience.
“I think it is a good area to expand your horizons outside of scholastic,” she said.
Weaver credits parents for being a “huge part” in how the band functions throughout the year.
In addition to fundraising for new uniforms or instruments and transporting students back and forth from practice and concerts, Weaver said many of the band parents show support through attending the numerous band activities.
“We got a great support group of parents that are at all of those performances we go to, even as far as Biloxi, Mississippi.,” he said.
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GOING PLACES
Milton High School band students signed scholarships or letters of intent with these colleges:
Pensacola State College
Meagan Flores, clarinet
Robert Goranson, euphonium
Danielle Henrichsen, flute
Corey Jones, trombone
Audrie Kennedy, flute
Kameron Rust, string bass / bass guitar
University of West Florida
Dex Anderson, trombone
Tim Boucher, trumpet
Joseph Herring, French horn
Samantha Lozano, flute
Troy University
Pierce Gilmore, percussion
Alex Robey, trumpet
Logan Vonada, trumpet
Amari Waitman, clarinet
William Carey University
Tiffany Broome, flute
University of Southern Mississippi
Gabrielle Flores, clarinet
Wesley Patterson, tuba
Lauren Schofield, flute
University of Florida
Daniel Lezcano, French horn
Milton High School band students signed scholarships or letters of intent with these colleges:
Pensacola State College
Meagan Flores, clarinet
Robert Goranson, euphonium
Danielle Henrichsen, flute
Corey Jones, trombone
Audrie Kennedy, flute
Kameron Rust, string bass / bass guitar
University of West Florida
Dex Anderson, trombone
Tim Boucher, trumpet
Joseph Herring, French horn
Samantha Lozano, flute
Troy University
Pierce Gilmore, percussion
Alex Robey, trumpet
Logan Vonada, trumpet
Amari Waitman, clarinet
William Carey University
Tiffany Broome, flute
University of Southern Mississippi
Gabrielle Flores, clarinet
Wesley Patterson, tuba
Lauren Schofield, flute
University of Florida
Daniel Lezcano, French horn
GOING PLACES
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: 19 Milton band students sign scholarships, letters of intent