GNODCA Announce 2012 Tuition Assistance Winners

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The Greater New Orleans Drum Corps Association is proud to announce the winners of the 2012 Tuition Assistance Program awards. This year was very difficult to choose winners. We received many outstanding applications from drum corps members throughout the country.

Better Late than Never

Two of this year’s winners are marching their rookie seasons during their age-out years. Although this is her first year marching drum
“She has numerous years of experience in the winter guard activity, performing in the winter guard programs of Denham Springs High School, her hometown, and the University of Louisiana in Lafayette where she attends classes for her undergraduate degree. Chatlain was an integral part of the Crescent City Color Guard 2012 program this year, “Friendship, Love and Regrets” in which she performed with style and grace. She has an exemplary work ethic and strives for technical excellence in equipment and body. In addition, she demonstrates a leadership role in helping to support less experienced guard members. Her dedication and commitment to the art is without question the reason for her achievement both on and off the field or floor.” – Crescent City Color Guard director Mark Rivero.corps, the Blue Devils’ Chatlain Leblanc has many seasons under her belt in winter guard, and that experience has prepared her well:

 

 

 

Also marching his first season during his age-out year is Phantom Regiment’s Jordon Kenny. Jordon is member of Louisiana State
“I chose to join Phantom Regiment because I feel that they never fail to put on a great show for the fans.”University’s “Golden Band from Tigerland” and looks forward to providing the fans of drum corps another memorable Phantom Regiment show:

Jordon joins a long list of drum corps members who made the trek from southern Louisiana to Rockford, performing in such memorable shows as “Spartacus” (’08), “New World Symphony” (’89), “Phantom Voices” (’91), “Defiant Heart” (’96), “Romeo and Juliet” (’88), and “Harmonic Journey” in 2003.

 

No Newbie Here

Not lacking drum corps experience is our final TAP winner, The Cadets’ Ashley Pittman. At the age of 13, Ashley began her drum corps career marching two years with Teal Sound. Following those two years, Ashley joined The Cadets in ’05 and immediately won a DCI World Championship. Ashley has remained with The Cadets since that impressive start, and along with being Guard Captain from 2009 through 2012, her career that has earned her two World Championships and high praise from her color guard instructor, Bruno D. Zuccala:

“Ashley Pittman is an outstanding representation of the Greater New Orleans Drum Corps Association Scholarship Award. It has been my pleasure to teach, problem solve, and enjoy as Ashley performs with The Cadets. As Color Guard Captain, she is an exceptional leader and mentor to all members of the Drum Corps. Ashley has an unmatched work ethic and always finds time to assist other members when needed. I am so fortunate in my 46 years in the Activity to come across a student, performer, and friend like Ashley. Although this is her age-out year, Ashley’s influence will continue through the inspired members of The Cadet Color Guard of the future.”

The GNODCA is proud to support these fine corps members and wish them a successful 2012 season and many great memories.

The Greater New Orleans Drum Corps Association was established to foster positive experiences for all students by promoting education, creativity, and freedom of expression through the drum corps activity. The GNODCA Tuition Assistance Program provides funds to help offset the cost of fees for young performers of our activity who pursue to perform in a competing junior drum and bugle corps

For information about the Tuition Assistance program, please see the TAP page at www.gnodca.com . The GNODCA will begin accepting applications for the 2013 season in the fall of 2012.

Posted by on Monday, June 25th, 2012. Filed under Current News, DCI World, FrontPage Feature.