GENTRY, AR -- The Gentry High School Band celebrated another outstanding year of accomplishments during its annual band banquet last week, recognizing students for excellence in marching band, concert band, jazz band, color guard, leadership, and overall dedication to the program.
Band members, families, directors, and supporters gathered for an evening of celebration following a successful year filled with strong performances and numerous achievements throughout marching competitions and concert band events.
The evening also featured special recognition for the support of the Gentry Band Boosters, who provided dinner, desserts, and senior gifts for students. Brianna and Casey Strickland were also recognized for decorating the cafeteria and helping create a formal atmosphere for the celebration.
Students receiving formal awards included:
Innovative Improviser — Ezra Griffis
Woody Herman Jazz Award — Calvin Lee
Louis Armstrong Award — Giovani Cardenas
Most Improved Jazz Musician — Braydon Burgess
The Jazz Enthusiast — Alex Landaverde
Harmonious Pioneer — Giselle Tovar
Leader of the Year — Aaliyah Xiong
Outstanding Marcher — Benny Carrera, Lucas Lee, and Todd McLellan
Service Above Self — Gabriella Strickland
Outstanding Pioneer — Peyton Lee and Jaylin Green
Most Improved — Emma Bennett, David Guzman, and Skyler Whisenant
Director’s Award — Daniela Galvan
John Philip Sousa Award — Lazaro Cardenas
Outstanding Guard — Layla Crosby and Hazel Cruz
Best Dance Technique — Petsala Thammavongsa
Best Flag Technique — Desi Burks
Best Tosser — Jacob Carrera
Most Improved Guard — Ema McGowan
The Crescendo Award — Axanee Yang
Beginner All-Star — Petsala Thammavongsa
The banquet also included a variety of student-voted superlative awards:
Freshman MVP — JR Kirk
Sophomore MVP — Peyton Lee
Junior MVP — Calvin Lee
Senior MVP — Lazaro Cardenas
Rookie of the Year — JR Kirk
Contreras “Favorite” — Daniela Galvan
Wood’s “Favorite” — JR Kirk
Chronically Online — Jacob Carrera
Band Comedian — Jacob Carrera
The Yapper — Kacie Wood
Ray of Sunshine — Aaliyah Xiong
Fortissimo — Lazaro Cardenas
Most Spirited — Sydney Crosby
Band Dad — Todd McLellan
Band Mom — Daniela Galvan
Dancing Queen — Luiz Nevarez Padilla
Hypeman — Axanee Yang
Patricia — Hazel Cruz
Guard Rookie — Angela Reyes-Mejia
Coolest Cat — Calvin Lee
Jazz Rookie — Braydon Burgess
Jazz Band MVP — Jason Rhoads
Smoothest Soloist — Alex Landaverde
Brass MVP — Calvin Lee
Saxophone MVP — Giovani Cardenas
Rhythm Section MVP — Jaxen Hancock
Gentry Band Director Ruby Contreras said the banquet was a fitting way to celebrate the dedication, talent, and hard work displayed by band students throughout the school year.
“We’re proud of everything these students accomplished this year and thankful for the families, boosters, and community members who continue to support the Gentry band program,” Contreras said.