People of the Year—Rick Hauf

Patch recognizes people or groups with a People of the Year award for their contributions to Havre de Grace in 2011. Nominees were submitted by Patch readers via , email or on Facebook.

RICK HAUF

At , it's the music department that is often the face of the entire student body.

It doesn't hurt that most of that student body is involved in some form or another with a music production.

"(Hauf) gives it his all and then some. He understands the importance of music and how it can change one's life," Carol Sue Garrett Williams said on Patch's Facebook page.

Hauf oversees the award-winning band and its many incarnations—the , , orchestra and so on.

This year, the band received the —and by all accounts, in Harford County history as well.

Hauf has developed the county's smallest school body into the area's most talented musical hotbed. It's taken time and a considerable amount of work. There is a push for to become a —in part due to Hauf's excellent track record and his passion for helping students achieve.

He's also involved in a number of clubs at the school, and has acted as the chair for the National Honor Society for more than a decade. In the last few years, he's helped develop and manage the Hall of Fame, which earlier this year .

While there has been considerable turnover in teachers and administrators in the school in recent years, Hauf has been a mainstay. He and choral director David Tramontana have kept the school's running strong for nearly two decades.

Hauf and his wife, Celeste, have three sons and are expecting a fourth right around Christmas. Hauf is heavily involved in youth activities in the community, as well.

If he keeps it up, Hauf might one day force the Hall of Fame he helped found to consider creating an educator's wing—he might be one of the first inductees.

Do you know Rick Hauf, or have a story to share about his impact on Havre de Grace? Share it in the comments. Click below to add an image or video.