GLENDALE, Ariz. – Two students from Mountain Ridge High School were selected for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Marching Band, during a ceremony in the school auditorium, Nov. 6, Glendale, Arizona.
Both Jaydah Cox, baton twirler, and Maxwell Stauffer, a drummer, were selected as part of the 125-member band, who will perform in the half-time ceremony of the 2018 All American Bowl, to be held in the Alamodome, San Antonio, Jan. 6, 2018.
According to the All-American Bowl website, students are nominated by their band director during their junior year, submit application materials online, and are notified of acceptance by in July. Members receive a selection tour event at their school during the fall of their senior year and an all-expenses paid trip to San Antonio, TX for Bowl Week in January of the their senior year.
Supporting the ceremony was Phoenix West Recruiting Company, who were represented by Sgt. 1st Class Jaime Guerra, recruiter, Arrowhead Recruiting Center. The visit to Mountain Ridge was one of 8 stops to schools in Arizona.
Supporting selection events throughout the South West region was Staff Sgt. Spencer Tilove, recruiter, United States Army Recruiting Command, who said the All-American Bowl represents the unique skills and values necessary to belong to the Army.
“Only the best and brightest can be an Army Soldier, just as only the best can be selected as an Army All-American band member,” Tilove said. “All-Americans are motivated and dedicated and know how to be a member of a team, as well as a leader.”
Not only are they expected to achieve academically and musically, but also as young people who embody the Army values, he said.
“By embracing those qualities, they are able to meet any challenge and become greater than they were before,” Tilove told the students in attendance.
The selection of Cox and Stauffer carries on an outstanding tradition at the school, said Michelle Martin, assistant principal, with Mountain Ridge producing more All-American band members than any other school in Arizona.
“Jaydah and Max are the 18th and 19th to be selected from the school since 2008,” Martin said. “In addition our band is among the best in the state, and is nationally recognized, with performances at the 2003 and 2008 Fiesta Bowls and the 2009 Presidential Inauguration.”
Martin thanked the Phoenix Recruiting Battalion for their work with the school and helping to facilitate opportunities for students like Cox and Stauffer.