Anthony Johnson Spirit Award

So a few weeks after Anthony passed, I reached out to the Alvin Band Director, Chad Bowen. Steve and I wanted to do a band scholarship in Anthony's name. We knew this year would be fairly small - only $250 - because that was all we could afford. We hope in future years to garner donations that will help make it more substantial. We also have discussed donating funds in the beginning of the year to help with private lessons or offset band fees - as well as an end of year scholarship. We will see what happens there.

Anyway - at a local parade a couple weeks after emailing Mr. Bowen, he saw us on the side of the street (watching the parade with Grace and Jason). He ran over to me to tell me he had received my email and would get back to me that week - but he also wanted to tell me that the band directors decided they wanted to create an award in Anthony's name. The spirit award since he had so much band spirit. I was heavily touched by that.

We ended up meeting with the band booster club president, Dana Nichols, who helped us to determine how to proceed. We decided to just stick with the same requirements the booster club has for their scholarships, and to let the booster decide the recipient of the scholarship. At least for this year. This allows us time to determine how we want to proceed in future years. We delivered the money to the booster club Wednesday night, while the band was at the local What a burger playing and having a fundraiser. (As we were leaving, Steve stopped so Jason could hear and see the band playing. However, they started playing the fight song - and I asked him to just go, because I couldn't stand it. That's our fight song, since both Steve and I graduated from Alvin as well, and it was Anthony and Ashley's as well. It also stirred pride and excitement to hear it. Only this time, all I can see is Anthony dancing with his trombone while playing. He certainly was full of spirit. And it was just harder to hear this time)

Saturday night came along - and we attended Grace's band banquet - but it was also Alvin's banquet night. I received a message at some point from a friend - who said her daughter won the spirit award! And later, on a local facebook group, it was posted the pictures of the 2 spirit award winners, as well as the winner of the scholarship. I cried! I'm proud that Anthony can be remembered in this way! Of course, I wish he was remembered by still being here and I miss him more than words can explain. But I think this would make me proud - to know his love of band will continue through others!

The winners of the first Anthony Johnson Spirit Award are Lexi Hunt (10th grade) and Ari Mancha (12th) - and Ari also won the scholarship. Very proud that these young people exhibit the enthusiasm that reminds the directors of Anthony!

(The picture that exemplifies his enthusiasm and spirit. The principal, Dr B, instituted an "orange out" day to encourage students to dress in school colors and have school spirit. Tony took it seriously and covered his jeans and shoes in orange duct tape, wore an orange shirt, sprayed his hair orange and had orange sunglasses. He had to throw the jeans away because he couldn't get all the duct tape OFF the jeans! Ha!)

 (The video of the announcement of the winners)

(Lexi's award)

(The plaque with their names, and lots of room for more in future years!)

(Ari Mancha holding the plaque)