On November 2nd, 2023, the Mt. Vernon Band of Marauders had a banquet celebrating their season, MozARTrageous. First, the directors called up people to get food by age group, with Seniors and their families going first. During that time, a slideshow with photos from the season submitted by parents and students alike played in the background.
After everyone had gotten their food, the directors then started thanking all the parents who had helped during the season, including those who washed uniforms, helped load and unload props and donated food, with a raffle ticket that could end up winning them a gift card. The gift card was won by Brian Smith, the father of Colin Smith.
Next, the directors moved on to student awards. Student awards include “Most Improved” and “Outstanding,” and one of each award was given out to one (or more) student for each grade. Mr. Ahearn, the band’s assistant director, read off the names for the woodwind and brass players.
The “Most Improved” Award for wind instrument players went to Mikella Rentfrow (9) and Emma Stultz (11).
The “Most Improved” Award for brass instrument players went to Alex Pierson (9), Natalee Matta (10) and Connor Alton (11).
The “Outstanding” Award for wind instrument players went to Aiden Stiff (9), Bryce Callahan (11), Camden Fein (12) and Katie Dueser (12).
The “Outstanding” Award for brass players went to Anna Peter (9), Greyson Boyer (10), William Powell (11), Owen Tricker (12) and Jeb Lottes (12).
For sophomore woodwinds, there were three individuals that the directors wished to give both “Most Improved” and “Outstanding” awards to: James Wilson, Cameron Burt and Marissa Burt.
Finally, there was a special award. During the season the directors gave out a “Dog Award” for whoever “had that dog in them.” It was an award recognizing the hard work of individuals in the program, and was given out to a different person each week. The special award the directors decided to present at the banquet was based on this, and it ended up being a small stuffed golden dog. It was aptly named the “Top Dog Award,” and was given to John Hernandez-Morales (11), one of the two drum majors.
When it came to color guard and percussion members, each group was given their awards by the staff they worked with most: Andre Williams for the color guard, and Karen Cole and Ella Sailor for the percussion.
For colorguard, awards were given the same way they were to the wind players, with two people per grade receiving awards.
Color guard members who received the “Most Improved” Award included Marla Villard (8), Makayla Kirkham (9), Callum Robb (10), Chloe-Grace Webb (11), Milo Bailey (11) and Evelyn Bitz (12).
Color guard members who received the “Outstanding” Award were Olivia Paris (8), Hailey Elstro (9), Reagan Wagner (10), Riley Churchwell (11) and Tyler Black (12).
The last group to go was percussion, whose staff decided to make a list of members they thought were “Most Improved” and “Outstanding” regardless of grade.
“Most Improved” percussionists were Myles Battee (8), Isiah Cockrell (9), Jayden Anderson-Barnett (10), and Kai Humphrey (10).
“Outstanding” percussionists were Grant Smith (9), Colin Smith (10), Simon Smith (10), Sophia Ward (12), and Cali Sutton (12).
The night ended with each senior being given a giant cupcake and a framed photograph of the senior class, and all students and family being thanked for their involvement in the season and wished a good night.
