ALLEN COUNTY, OH (WLIO) - They are the best of the best in the world of high school musicians, and they were honored today by the Lima Kiwanis Club.
Eleven students from eleven Allen County schools were awarded the John Philip Sousa Award. The award dates back 63 years and is one of the most prestigious recognitions in high school music.
This year's recipients are Ransom Holman from Allen East, Blake Fisher from Bath, Caitlyn Couch from Bluffton, Payton Plescher from Delphos Jefferson, Abigale Kaye from Elida, Caterina Lucente from Lima Central Catholic, Allison Fronzaglia from Lima Senior, Ja'Melia Ede from Perry, Ribka Eyob from Shawnee, Emma Clement from Spencerville, and Dawson Clay from Temple Christian.
The Lima Kiwanis Club also hands out the Ronald W. Richards Young Musician Scholarship to one of the students. This year, it goes to Emma Clement from Spencerville High School. She plays the French horn and participates in several school bands, along with the Lima Area Concert Band. Clement was humbled to receive the scholarship.
"I'm just so happy for this opportunity. I mean, I didn't even think I would even be here four years ago. I'm so grateful to all the people who've gotten me this far. I'm grateful. I mean, I want to go into music education in the future. So I'm grateful to all the teachers I've had in my life and my parents, who are my first teachers. And I'm so happy to carry that legacy on forward," said Emma Clement, Richards Scholarship Recipient.
Clement plans to attend Bowling Green State University, majoring in music education. Congratulations to all the recipients!
