Author Archives: Terry Lee Marzell

About Terry Lee Marzell

Terry Lee Marzell holds a bachelor's degree in English from Cal State Fullerton and a master's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Cal State San Bernardino. She also holds a certificate for Interior Design Level 1 from Mt. San Antonio College. She has been an educator in the Corona Norco Unified School District for more than 30 years.

Runyon, Kaflik, and Marque lead students in Macy’s Parade

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There’s plenty of excitement in the air as parade fans get ready for the return of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade festivities tomorrow. The parade was cancelled last year due to the pandemic. Among the young people scheduled to march in the parade this year are the Marching Bulldogs from Brownsburg High School in Brownsburg, Indiana. These capable student musicians will perform under the leadership of three Band Directors: Tracy Runyon, Chris Kaflik, and John Marque.

Every year, several hundred bands from across the country apply to appear in the parade. The selection process is rigorous. Each band must submit a resume, a list of staff and band accomplishments, a video performance, and three recommendations from other band directors. “We are not only representing Brownsburg,” says Tracy Runyon, “but also the whole state, as we are the only band in Indiana who will be performing.”

Tracy, Chris, and John will be escorting the entire band to New York City. This includes 205 students, 20 staff members, in addition to parents, siblings, other relatives and friends. This brings the grand total to 465 people heading to the Big Apple.

Brownsburg High School Instructors, from left to right, John Marque, Tracy Runyon, Chris Kaflik, will lead their student musicians in this year’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Photo credit: Towne Post Network.

Tracy Runyon joined the Brownsburg staff in 1997. He teaches band, jazz band, and marching band, and assists with the middle school bands. Tracy earned his Bachelor’s in Music Education from Indiana State University and his Master’s degree in Music Technology from Indiana University.

Chris Kaflik joined the Brownsburg staff in 2016. He teaches band, color guard, jazz band, and marching band, and assists with the middle school bands. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Ball State University.

John Marque joined the Brownsburg staff in 2016. He teaches percussion grades 6  through 12, jazz band, concert band, percussion ensemble, and marching band. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance from Miami University in Ohio, and his Master’s degree in Music with an emphasis in Jazz Studies from Indiana University.

Stephen A. Howard to lead “Marching Stars” in Macy’s Parade

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Stephen A. Howard, Director of Bands for the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders in Austin, Texas, will lead his “Marching Stars” in the 2021 Thanksgiving Day Parade. Photo credit: the Ann Richards School.

Like many people, I make it a tradition to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thanksgiving Day. The parade will make a triumphant return this year, after having been cancelled last year due to the pandemic. For me, one of the highlights of the annual event is watching the young people from all over the country as they perform in a variety of high school marching bands. This year, the marching band from Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders in Austin, Texas, under the leadership of Stephen A. Howard will perform in the parade.

The Ann Richards School is a public all-girls school in the Austin Independent School District that serves grades 6-12. The school’s “Marching Stars” are the nation’s only all-female Marching Band. Under Stephen’s leadership, the Marching Stars have been named a Bands Of  America (B)A) Regional Class Champion four times. In addition, the Ann Richards Color Guard program has earned accolades in the Texas Color Guard Circuit, including being named the 2017 Scholastic Novice Champion, the 2018 Scholastic Regional A Bronze Medalist, and the 2019 Scholastic AA Silver Medalist.

Prior to working at the Ann Richards School, Stephen was an Associate Director of Bands at James Bowie High School in Austin, Texas. At Bowie, he earned Division 1 ratings with the Freshman Wind Ensemble and Concert Band, and Wind Ensembles 2 and 3. The Bowie High School Outdoor Performing Ensemble also garnered success during Stephen’s tenure, being named a UIL 5A State Finalist in 2008, 2010, and 2012, a Grand National Finalist in 2009 and 2012, and a consistent BOA Regional Class Champion and Super Regional Finalist. His Winter Guards competed at the Texas Color Guard Circuit State Championships, where both the JV and Varsity teams were named class champions in 2014. The Varsity team went on to appear in the Scholastic Open Class Finals at the WGI World Championships.

For his work with young musicians, Stephen has earned many impressive honors. In 2015, he was awarded the Randy Julia Service Award from TCGC. In 2018, Mr. Howard was recognized as an Educator of Excellence by the Young Women’s Preparatory Network. He is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America, and is an active adjudicator in the Marching Band and Winter Guard world. He is a past President of the Texas Color Guard Circuit.

Stephen is a native of Richmond, Virginia. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music from Radford University in Radford, Virginia, where he concentrated in both Instrumental and Vocal Music Education. He earned his Master’s degree in Music from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, where he studied Instrumental Conducting.

Educator and author Andee Reilly releases new Christmas novel

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Educator and author Andee Reilly has just released a new Christmas romance which would make perfect reading for Winter Break. Photo credit: Andee Reilly.

Looking for a relaxing Christmas read over your Winter Break? I recommend A Christmas Love Song, a romance novel just released by English educator Andee Reilly.

Andee is well-versed in the study and teaching of excellent writing. In 1988, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies at California State University, Northridge. She earned a Master’s degree in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing from California State University, Los Angeles, in 1999. In 2010, she completed the requirements for a second Master’s degree in Creative Writing from the University of California, Riverside, in Riverside, California.

After earning her teaching credential, Andee inaugurated her career as an English teacher at Palisades High School in Pacific Palisades, California. After a few years at the high school level, Andee was hired to teach at Moorpark College. She taught additional courses at Pierce College and the College of the Canyons, until securing a position at California State University, Channel Islands (CSUCI). While at CSUCI, Andee garnered a Maximus Award for outstanding teaching. A few years later, Andee moved  to Hawaii, where she accepted a teaching position at the University of Hawaii, Maui College. There she currently teaches composition to incoming freshman.

In addition to her classroom successes, the honored educator also enjoys success as a published novelist. In 2015, Andee published her first novel, Satisfaction. This entertaining book tells the story of Ginny Martin, a recent divorcee, who embarks on a road trip to attend every concert on the Rolling Stones’ North American tour. Along the way, Ginny learns more about herself than she expected. Andee’s second book, A Christmas Love Song, gives us a romance between a has-been pop star, Jake Wilder, and Mackenzie Stone, a reporter longing to become a serious and respected journalist.

You can purchase Andee’s new release on amazon.com at the link A Christmas Love Song. You can find Andee’s first book by clicking the Satisfaction. To visit her website, click on www.andeereilly.com.

Laura Settle: Founder of CA Retired Teachers Association

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Laura SettleIn US history, there are many examples of hardworking educators who continue to work towards improving the lives others, even after retirement. One of these is activist Laura E. Settle, the founder and first president of the California Retired Teachers Association.

Laura retired as a teacher from the Pasadena School District in Pasadena, California, while the country was struggling through the Great Depression. At that time, a retired schoolteacher received just $500 a year in pension benefits. To rectify this, a small group of teachers led by Laura Settle banded together to fight for better retirement incomes for their colleagues who were living in poverty after a lifetime of teaching.

In 1927, Laura contacted Los Angeles politicians with the goal of forming a local retired teachers’ group. Interested individuals held their first meeting  in Sycamore Grove Park. Laura was elected president, and she immediately launched into her work to expand the organization in other California communities. For years, she drove the dusty highways all over the state to help organize teachers in their common cause. All were welcome to join for the annual dues of $1.

After several years, CalRTA made its first major breakthrough in 1934, when pensions were finally boosted, and by 1943, Laura’s work had resulted in the formation of 17 divisions throughout California. Today, CalRTA is one of the nation’s largest retired teacher organizations with more than 43,000 members in 86 local divisions throughout the state.

In all, Laura served 16 years as the president of CalRTA, from 1929 to 1945. This amazing educator passed away on May 11, 1951. To honor her, a scholarship has been established in her name, and is given to deserving high school students who have declared an intention to go into the teaching profession.

Laura E. Settle: All teachers, whether currently retired or still in the classroom, owe her a great debt.