MOUNT VERNON — The Kiwanis Club of Mount Vernon honored five high school seniors for their musical accomplishments at an award luncheon on Monday.
This is the 13th year the club has presented the John Philip Sousa awards, the most prestigious award for high school band students. Normally presented only by high schools, Mount Vernon is one of two Kiwanis clubs allowed to make the presentation.
The award recognizes the superior muscianship, leadership, and outstanding dedication of band students. Following are the 2023 winners.
Centerburg High School: Judith Dettmar
Dettmar began her band career in marching band six years ago and plays the saxophone and baritone horn. She has been in the honors band every year since seventh grade and has performed on the flute and saxophone in ensemble competitions. She was a marching band section leader for two years. She plays first chair tenor sax in the Mount Vernon Nazarene University jazz band and also plays in the Centerburg High School jazz band.
Danville High School: William Marshall
First-year DHS band director Dakota Roberts describes William Marshall as an “incredibly hardworking student.”
“Rarely do you find someone as dedicated as William. He’s always practicing. I have never seen him just goof around.”
Marshall plans to attend Ohio University in the fall, majoring in computer science.
East Knox High School: Wyatt Ary
Sarah Jancura, EKHS band director, said Wyatt Ary began his musical career in the fifth grade. He was section leader for the drums, is in honors band, and earned first chair. Ary will attend MVNU majoring in electrical engineering and plans to be a part of MVNU’s music ensembles.
“He is dedicated and strives to perform at the highest caliber,” Jancura said.
Fredericktown High School: Ana Kraus
In his first year as Fredericktown’s band director, Andrew Hollenbaugh said Ana Kraus “has played a key role in my transition as band director.”
“She has contributed so much to our band program, before I got there and this year as well,” he said.
Kraus’ accomplishments include serving as band president and guild commander.
Mount Vernon High School: Olivia Wiley
Olivia Wiley’s musical activities started in sixth grade on the saxophone, moving to the french horn. At MVHS, she plays in the symphonic, marching, and pep bands. She also plays in the Knox County and Mount Vernon symphony orchestra and honors band.
Extracurricular school activities include National Honor Society, Key Club, and Spanish Club. In the top 10% of her class, Wiley has earned academic, swim, and band varsity letters. She plans to attend Hope College and major in music and neuroscience.
The John Philip Sousa Band Award was established in 1954 with the approval of Sousa’s daughters, Helen Sousa Albert and Priscilla Sousa, and is administered through “The Instrumentalist” magazine.
Sousa, known as the “March King,” was a strong supporter of school music programs. He appeared as a guest conductor of school bands throughout the United States and adjudicated numerous youth band festivals. His instrument of choice was the violin, but he played multiple instruments. He published his first composition at the age of 18.
