May 3, 2021
By: Bill Conger
DCHS Senior Victor Luna took home the highest honor at the annual band banquet May 1. Assistant Director Don Whitt presented Luna with the prestigious John Philip Sousa Award for Academic and Skillful Musicianship as a Senior. Luna is the son of Band Director Tracy Luna and Laura Luna,
The Director’s Choice Award for Outstanding Leader as a Senior went to Josh Moon, the son of Cedron and Diana Moon. The Louie Armstrong Award, which goes to an outstanding leader in the area of jazz music was presented to Charlie Ford, the son of Jeff and Bobbie Ford. Senior James Tramel, the son of C.J. Tramel and Deana Jones, won the Musicianship Award. Moon, Luna, and Ford also won the Musicianship Award. Given the honor for Outstanding Leadership in Band was Owen Warren.
Picking up the Star Performer award were Alexis Stanley, Trumpet; Gavin Conger, Serenity Patterson, and Kyle Holmbeck, Percussion; Gage Cote and Aaron Maple, Clarinet; BJ Mosely Tenor Sax; Skylar Southard, Trombone; Victor Luna (Tuba, Alto Sax, Euphonium); Serenity Burgess, Flute/Piccolo; and Amy Nokes, Flute. Trumpet player Jaden Wilden received the Most Improved award.
The Color Guard Outstanding Leadership award went to Hannah Finan; Most Improved Winter Guard, Cameron Smith; Outstanding Rookie–Sabor, Sarah Fuson; Outstanding Rookie–Rifle, Elizabeth Cardin; and Outstanding Guard Manager, Elizabeth Mosely.
Savannah Warren picked up the Outstanding Leadership in Band trophy. Amy Nokes was named Top Fundraiser for this year.
The band boosters gave Director Tracy Luna a special plaque that reads “You were there for us. Now we will be there for you.” The crowd gave a standing ovation to a choked-up Luna, who has been on leave this school year fighting against pancreatic cancer. The plaque had a recording of The Jackson Five’s “I’ll Be There.”
Assistant Director Don Whitt said, “Every time he plays the music it will be a reminder to him that we will be there for him, or we are always thinking about him.”