Pride and Embarrassment Comingled

Have you ever had one of those moments where you feel pride and embarrassment at the same time? Last evening Evie and I had such an experience when we attended the Oakton Band’s final event, the annual awards banquet.

With Josh not attending we were going to skip the banquet. We changed our minds when the Band Director emailed us Monday asking us to attend as she wanted to formally present an award before Josh’s peers and us. So we spent 4.5 hours last night at the banquet.

At the end of the year concert a week ago seniors are allowed to do short solos. About half of the students do something. Josh was one of two seniors allowed to do an extended solo and to be accompanied by Symphonic Band. Prior to the closing of the closing of the concert with Symphonic Band’s last item, Josh played excerpts from Ferdinand David’s “Concertino Opus 4 for Trombone and Piano”. Following his solo Dr. Newton announced that Josh was leaving in two days to march with the Crossmen. As such she announced that Josh was being awarded the “Music Department Award” which is given to one student in the music department. It was the first year in several years that it was being awarded to a band student (between the orchestra, band and vocal programs there are over 600 students). We knew he was lettering again this year and would receive a certificate for being in district band, but we were not expecting to have his name announced thirteen times for various awards and certificates.

Besides the Music Department Award, he received thirteen other awards and recognitions, some of which are voted upon by his peers:
- The US Marine Corps Semper Fidelis Award for Music Excellence and Leadership, an award not given every year.
- The John Philip Sousa Band Award, to top award for Symphonic Band
- Marching Band Award for Best Marcher
- Marching Band Award for Most Dependable Member
- Marching Band Esprit de Corps Award
- Concert I Award for Most Dependable Member
- Jazz Band A Award for Best Trombone
- 5280 Award for going the extra mile (working hard)
- Louisiana State University Golden Oaks Award was sent to his director from LSU
- Academic Letter from Oakton High School for academic achievement
- District Band Certificate
- Service Pin to add to the Band Letter he won in a previous year
- Band Medallion for lettering for a fourth time
Though he was not physically present, in many ways he was present. We were proud of Josh, yet we started to feel a little self-conscious and embarrassed by the high frequency his name was being called for recognition.

Several times throughout the evening his peers made mention of him. One of the most touching moments for Evie and I, and the highlight of the evening, was when the senior representative spoke. Katherine presented a well crafted and thoughtful short speech. She noted that when Josh left the after Prom party that one of those at the party said, “There goes a man who we may never see again.”

Josh has been truly blessed with a host of quality friends who have grown to be upright young men and women, who in their own way have helped Josh along the road and hold a special place in his heart. Several of them mentioned that they have already bought their tickets to the Warrenton show and will be there in August cheering on him and the Crossmen.

With temperatures going into the mid 90s Jonathan is having a busy, yet special weekend. The sister of his girlfriend is getting married this morning at ten. Besides attending the rehearsal dinner with Maggie he has the wedding to attend today. In July they will be traveling to Philadelphia to attend the wedding of one of Maggie’s friends.