Joliet District 86 Students Receive Music Awards

Congratulations to the graduating eighth grade students who were recognized for their outstanding music achievement in Joliet Public Schools District 86. Over 875 students in grades 5th through 8th participated in the school district’s music program this school year.

Dirksen Junior High School

Band Director Award: Maye Villagomez

Choir Director Award: Alana Lehner

Orchestra Director Award: Ximena Lopez

John Philip Sousa Band Award: Nancy Sahagun

National School Choral Award: Ruben Moreno

National School Orchestra Award: Amber Cisneros

Gompers Junior High School

Band Director Award: Brian Valadez

Choir Director Award: Jose Diaz

Orchestra Director Award: Ashley Subias

John Philip Sousa Band Award: Vanessa Flores

National School Choral Award: Kasandra Martinez

National School Orchestra Award: Caiylen Manigo

Hufford Junior High School

Band Director Award: Sadie Johnson

Choir Director Award: Ja’Niyaa Pruitte

Orchestra Director Award: Stephanie Arias

National School Choral Award: Ruby Garcia

National School Orchestra Award: Rebecca Hernandez

Louis Armstrong Jazz Award: Sol Barragan

Washington Junior High School

Band Director Award: Elena Yanchick

Choir Director Award: Joclynn Stewart

Orchestra Director Award: Mariah Hernandez

John Philip Sousa Band Award: Andelise Carlson

National School Orchestra Award: Adelyn Hill

Louis Armstrong Jazz Award: Saul Lopez

The Director Awards recognized not only student’s outstanding musical achievement, but also their dedication, character, commitment, and leadership above and beyond the call of duty. The students that won the Director’s Award received an engraved plaque and their name was added to a plaque hanging in the music room at their school.

The John Phillip Sousa Band, National School Choral, and National School Orchestra Awards recognized 8th grade musicians who displayed superior musicianship, leadership, and dependability. The awards highlighted outstanding achievement and interest in music, for singular merit in loyalty and cooperation, and for displaying those high qualities of conduct that school performance music requires. The award is the top nationwide prize in the school music field, both in prestige and appearance. It promotes the entire ensemble by encouraging musicians to greater achievement and enthusiasm. The student winners of these awards received a pin, certificate, engraved trophy, and their name was engraved on the plaque that is displayed in the music room at their schools.

The Louis Armstrong Jazz Award recognized students’ outstanding achievement by an instrumentalist in the field of jazz, as demonstrated through superior musicianship, character, and individual creativity. The student recipients of this award received a pin, certificate, and engraved trophy. The student’s names were also engraved on a plaque in the music room at their school.