|
Angleton band, BISD maintain links to success
Published November 5, 2009
On a fall Friday night, lasting memories were made at Wildcat Stadium in Angleton and at Hopper Field in Freeport. But it’s not the kind of memories you might expect during football season, though both Angleton and Brazoswood are in the midst of successful seasons that see them playoff-bound.
Brazosport ISD celebrated the addition of three new members to its Wall of Honor, recognizing outstanding career achievement to encourage future academic greatness.
Meanwhile, the Angleton High School Alumni Band joined forces with the current high school band and choir, as well as area veterans groups, for a pregame “Salute to Veterans and Active Military Personnel.”
The event had been planned for a while, but the evening gained poignancy when Assistant Band Director Chuck Fricker recently received notice of his call to active duty and upcoming deployment to Iraq. Fricker directed the bands Friday night in full military dress and was honored at a reception after the game.
The special weekend also included a social Saturday night for Angleton band alumni — an active link to the band’s award-winning legacy over the years.
Fricker is not from Texas, but he said, in his three years of being a part of the Angleton High School band program, he’s been struck by the outpouring of support for the band and how residents cherish its rich history.
“It makes you want to be part of the community,” Fricker said.
Brazosport ISD on Friday night honored its third class of Wall of Fame inductees — Sula Lowe Baye, Dr. David Graham and Marcus Stephenson. The honor recipients are role models to be sure, but in a way that hits close to home. The grads are tangible examples ensuing generations of students can point to and say, “If somebody else from my school can do this, why not me?”
Superintendent Joe Ripple and other district officials stressed the point.
“In order to create future success, students need to understand our heritage of success,” Ripple said.
Baye graduated from Lanier High School in 1960 and became the first black female attorney in the Houston U.S. Attorney’s Office. Graham graduated from Brazosport High School in 1959 and earned a medical degree, specializing in gastroenterology. A professor at Baylor College of Medicine, he has written several books and more than 700 scientific papers. Stephenson, 73, grew up in Velasco and is a prominent area civic figure, serving on the BISD board for more than 25 years.
Whether sounding a note of patriotism for those in the community who serve our country or being lauded for noteworthy professional success, they share the common threads of community, tradition, hard work and discipline.
And in maintaining their connections with the past, the Angleton Alumni Band and the BISD Wall of Honor continue to impart those vital lessons to those who march in their footsteps.
Today’s editorial was written by Glenn Krampota, Brazos Living editor of The Facts.
Share |
Save |
Mail |
Print
|
|
|
 |
|
FREE BAY BOAT WITH WATERFRONT PURCHASE Get
...
Click for all
Top Ads listing
|
