Friday night was a night that my students will not forget for the rest of their lives.  As I am pretty sure everyone knows, the Marching Virginians came to perform at Ragsdale Field as a fundraiser for the Green Wave Marching Band and to help our community honor the memory of Jarrett Lane.  I have had many people come up to me since that evening telling me how much credit I deserve for bringing them here to our town, but there is no way this ever could have happened with just one person working on it.  I fact, I feel that what I did was miniscule compared to some people.

First, I would like to thank last years Band Booster President Jenny Ray.  She was the person that made this possible.  She contacted Dave McKee and made a majority of the arrangements, including riding the buses over to make sure that everyone was able to meet and get where they were going to.  Without Jenny working so hard – even after she resigned as President – this never would have been possible.

Second, I would like to thank this years Band Booster President Cindy Light.  Cindy has spent nearly every waking hour focusing on all fundraiser aspects.  From tying ribbons, decorating things, contacting various individuals - to generally putting everything together – she has worked tirelessly.  Without the help of these two women I know this would not have occurred.

I would like to thank all Band Booster officers – Robyn Taylor, Kim Weatherly, Sue Hyatt, and Paulette Hughes.  They were constantly helping in more ways than I can say to help make sure everything came together.  To all the Band parents and family members that helped I want to say a huge thank you.  I am not even sure of whom all you are, but I am very grateful.  When we needed help people definitely stepped up to the plate.

Rowdy Stump, Steve Brady, and Don Lowe – I can’t tell you how many times I went to these men’s offices to fix conflicts that came up, and every time I did they worked with me to resolve them.  I could not have had better administrative support then I received from them.  Thank you to the Dr. Arbogast and the Board of Education for helping to make sure that everything would be possible, and for the support.

I want to thank my wife Maria also.  She put up with many long phone calls, and me being away to set things up for this.  Her love and support is always appreciated.

The support received from the community was more than I could have hoped for.  I want to thank these businesses for their donations of fruit, water, ice, and items for the raffle that we held:  Narrows Liberty, Wades, Corner Market, Lights BP, Super Val-U, Glen Lyn Exxon, Foodland, Food Lion, Wal-Mart, Star Mart, Burger King, Giles Memorial Hospital, Narrows Flower and Gift, Paul and Paula’s Jewelry, PINN, Narrows Branch of BB&T,  Narrows Art Gallery, Giles Rescue Squad, WNRV, Narrows Rec Department, and many Anonymous Donors.  When we asked for donations everyone stepped up more than we could have imagined.

The Bus Drivers all gratefully gave of their time and without them there is no way this would have happened.  Thanks to Danny Johnson, Alvin Crotty, Art Terrill, Paul Hyatt, Anna Bostwick, Carolyn Hart, Charlie Sanders, Dennis Martin, Dennis Kidd, and Dale Lloyd.

The following individuals helped in various ways, and we want them to know how much it is appreciated: Jim and Allie Riffe, James and Joyce Riffe, JoAnn McCroskey, Emily Clem, Anna McCroskey, Burman Clark of Muneris, Raymond McDaniel, Bubbie and Peggy Fraley, Delores Johnson, Jane Garrett, Betty McCroskey, Bobbie Skeens, Darlene Gautier, Cindy Dowdy, Kristy Stump, Gary Bowman, and Gary and Michelle Thompson.  Thank you for your time and donations to the Band.

Thanks to the Narrows Police and Fire Departments.  They were willing to due whatever was necessary to make this happen, and your willingness to help is greatly appreciated.

As with any thank you list, I am sure that I left someone off.  For that I apologize and offer my sincere thanks.  This community was and continues to be so good to our Band that we are proud to represent you in any way that we can.

Many have asked what the fundraiser is for.  We are trying to raise funds to purchase new uniforms and better equipment for our students to learn on.  I am so proud of how hard these students worked and - continue to work – that I want the best possible equipment for them.

Last, but definitely not least, I want to thank Dave McKee and the Marching Virginians for their willingness to come to our town.  The Marching Virginians have never done this before, and to give Narrows High School the honor of being first is something that can not be described.

I look forward to all that is coming up in the school year, and if this is any indication of what is to come it is going to be a great year.  We are blessed to have this support, and want everyone to know we appreciate it.

Thanks,

John Maddy

Instructor of Bands