On October 30, 2006 a committee of 5 business men and women met to determine the four winners of the FJM Higher Education Scholarship. The committee had all the candidates’ essays and recommendations letters for one month. The committee proudly selected the
following four individuals to represent Fred J. Miller Clinics and be the recipients of
the 2006 Robert A. Black Higher Education Scholarship:
- Taylor Ann Funk – Olivet HS, Olivet, MI
- Brooke Ingram – Ringgold HS, Monongahela, PA
- Patrick McDonnell – Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin School, Chardon, OH
- Matthew Zabiegala – Medina HS, Medina, OH
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A few quotes from the winners
Taylor Funk
Taylor Funk attended St. Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, IN and was enrolled in the Drum
Major Curriculum. She is a senior at Olivet High School in Olivet, Michigan. Regarding
winning the scholarship, she said, I am so excited to have won the scholarship. I still can’t believe I was chosen! It is such an honor. I am very grateful for this opportunity,
not only for the additional money for my education, but to represent publicly something I
have felt a part of for four years through your clinics. Thank you very much!
From her scholarship essay
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FJM clinics: A phenomenal camp in the development of strong leaders. The strongest skills I learned were positive thinking and creating positive energy around me.
I’ve adopted my positive thinking abilities as a life attitude. I have finally realized that nothing is “too hard” until I say it is. Self-fulfilling prophecy has played a huge part in my mindset since my introduction to the clinics. I don’t have to look at the down side of everything; I can look back on almost any period, event or stage in my life and fondly reminisce.
The second facet to my lessons learned at FJM Clinics was being able to create a positive environment among the people around me. I was able to be so independently positive myself, regardless of negative peer pressure, that other people stated to adopt the attitude.
Being able to look positively at life and help others do the same are remarkable traits I will carry with me forever. The capability change the negative feeling of any situation, or at least make it bearable until something better comes along, will continue to make me great friends and create fond memories as long as I continue to employ what your staff taught me. I get excited about the prospects of the future just thinking about how different my positive attitude can make it. |
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Brooke Ingram
Brooke Ingram attended Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and was enrolled in the
Flag/Rifle Curriculum. She is a senior at Ringgold High School in Monongahela, PA. |
From her scholarship essay
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Out of the many things that I learned at the FJM Clinic I attended this summer, the two values that were stressed the most were leadership and teamwork. As captain of the Ringgold HS Color Guard in the upcoming school year, I needed to know how to use these attributes to my advantage. At the clinic, we played games and completed skill-building activities to strengthen our knowledge of the material. Our team talk group became so close in the process that we ate every meal together after our first meeting and encouraged each other during practice and performances both on and off the field. During the activities, we learned what kind of leaders we were and also how to figure out what kind of leaders that our teammates were.
After the clinic and the closeness and respect that I experienced with the other girls there, I hoped to bring new outlooks and insights to the girls on my squad at home. The girls now know how and why to accept leadership, use their leadership skills, and work with their teammates for a common goal. |
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Patrick McDonnell
Patrick McDonnell attended Baldwin-Wallace College in Cleveland, OH and he was enrolled in
the Drum Major Curriculum. He is a senior at Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin School in Chardon,
OH. IN response to winning, Patrick said,When I learned that I received the scholarship, I
was ecstatic. I would like to thank FJM for all that they have done for me, both at the
camp and for the scholarship. I have attended FJM clinics for the past three years, and couldn’t be happier with the excellent training I have received and the friendships I have
formed. Music has always been a passion of mine, a passion easily brought out in my
marching band. I would once again like to thank FJM for all that they have done for their
students. Keep Raising the Bar! |
From his scholarship essay
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At my time at FJM Clinics, I have learned and experienced a lot. Out of these lessons and
experiences, I have been taught skills that are crucial to any performing and
non-performing group. Specifically, two skills that I have acquired at camp that I will
apply to my own group are attention to technique and leadership. FJM Clinics do an
excellent job describing the importance of technique in a group and explaining the
qualities of a leader so a person not only feels confident of their performance, but also
feels confident with their ability to share their knowledge with others and be a leader.One of the most crucial aspects of FJM leadership is that everyone is a leader through
example. If every individual takes the responsibility to help their fellow group member,
that not only helps the group become a better performing unit, but also improves relations
and unity. I plan to stress the importance of leadership in my band in all my members
because everyone can be a leader. If all the band members acted like leaders we would not only look and sound better, but we would have a more enjoyable time.
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Matthew Zabiegala
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Matthew Zabiegala attended Denison University in Granville, OH and was enrolled in the Drum Major Curriculum. He is a senior at Medina Senior High School in Medina, OH. When informed that he had one a scholarship, he had this to say: I just can’t get over the fact that I am receiving the scholarship! I am just overwhelmed with pride and a sense of accomplishment, and FJM has certainly played a major part in my life in terms of performance and leadership. I do attribute my success as a leader and as a person to all of my inspiring directors and my parents, who have given me so much opportunity. This scholarship will most definitely help with my college aspirations and is much appreciated!
From his scholarship essay
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For the past three years that I have attended FJM Clinics, the many skills that I have
gained are incredibly valuable and have proven successful to my group and myself. As a
group of four Field Commanders we lead the 250 strong Medina High School Musical Bees
Marching Band. The leadership camps at FJM clinics have been a tremendous asset to me as a leader in keeping our group on-task, disciplined and committed to our band’s ultimate
vision statement. Through the leadership classes my team and I have turned our band into a
high-powered, motivated and highly effective marching ensemble. With leadership comes
teamwork. My team and I have made it a tradition in attending FJM Clinics every year
because of the caring and talented staff, the team building skills, the leadership
opportunities and the lasting bonds that always happen to form. The teamwork skills that
we have developed help our organization shatter the standards that we set for ourselves
each year. |
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Item Details
Written on Monday, November 6th, 2006 at 9:52 am. |
