Lincoln-Way Student Selected for U.S. Army All-American Marching Band

A Lincoln-Way East High School student has been selected to march in the halftime show at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015 in San Antonio, Texas.

Vanessa Jimenez, a member of the Marching Griffins Band Color Guard team, is chosen to be one of 24 members from across the nation to perform on the color guard team with the 125 selected members of the marching band. The band and color guard will march in the halftime show at the Alamodome. Participants were selected based on their exceptional musicianship, marching achievement, character, and leadership.

Vanessa embodies the mental, emotional, and physical strengths that are necessary to be a successful member of the U.S. Army All-American Marching Band, color guard team, Sgt. 1st Class Corin-Manning Gillens, Sr. told family, friends, and fellow students who came to support Vanessa at East on Oct. 7 for a formal announcement to the school and community.

“It is the embodiment of these strengths that earn All-American Bowl players and marching band members the right to wear the colors of the U.S. Army,” said Gillens.

“Being named to the 2015 U.S. Army All American Band, color guard team is a tremendous honor for Vanessa, our music program, the school, and the community. Vanessa has worked extremely hard to earn this honor. Good things happen to good people and this couldn’t have happened to a better person,” said Bert Johnson, East Band Director and Music Department Chair.

“Vanessa is an exceptional member of the East Color Guard. It is appropriate that this award be presented to Vanessa from the U.S. Army. We are all very proud of her,” added Dr. Sharon Michalak, Principal.

After Vanessa was presented the official bowl jacket and hat from Sgt. 1st class Gillens she stated how excited she was to represent the Marching Griffins on national television as a member of the U.S. Army All-American Marching Band, color guard team. She also thanked her family, friends, and the East Music Department for all their support and encouragement.

Vanessa is among an elite group from the Lincoln-Way High School District 210 to be selected to participate with the U.S. Army All-American Football game and Marching Band.

In 2014, two students from East were chosen to participate; Nick Allegretti was selected to be one of the 90 elite players from across the United States to participate in the football game at the Alamodome, while Caroline McCahey was chosen as one of 24 members from across the nation to perform on the color guard team with the 125 selected members of the marching band. Also in 2014, Frankie Kestel, Lincoln-Way Central, was selected to play piccolo for the Marching Band ; in 2012, Michelle Lindeman, a member of the Marching Griffins color guard, was selected; in 2011 Hannah O’Flynn, Lincoln-Way Central Marching Knights, was picked to march with the band. The year before, Lincoln-Way North color guard member Kaylene Kolpak marched with the band.

In 2009, Lincoln-Way North baritone player John Fiocca marched at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl; and in 2008 Lincoln-Way East musician Michael Blakley was chosen for the honor.

The public can watch the U.S. Army All-American Marching Band perform during halftime live on www.banddirector.com.

Photo: Lincoln-Way East student Vanessa Jimenez was recently chosen to be one of 24 members from across the nation to perform on the color guard team with 125 selected members of the marching band in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and Marching Band. The group will play in the Alamodome on Saturday, January 3, 2015in San Antonio , Texas. Pictured are (left to right) Bert Johnson, L-W East music department chair and band director, Vanessa Jimenez, and Dr. Sharon Michalak, principal, at the award ceremony.