Joseph Murillo: CA teacher and consummate athletic coach

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Chino High School teacher Joseph Murillo was also a consummate athletic coach. Photo credit: Chino Champion

Many fine educators also make superlative athletic coaches. One of these was Joseph Murillo, a science teacher and basketball coach from Chino, California.

Joseph was born on Sept. 18, 1945, in the town of El Refugio in the state of Zacatecas, Mexico. When he was only ten years old, he came to the United States with his family and the group settled in Chino, California. He attended public schools and graduated from Chino High School in 1965.

“As a young man, Joe showed preternatural skill for virtually any game that requires hand-eye coordination,” reads the educator’s obituary, “but he particularly excelled at basketball. A lank point guard who sometimes jumped center, Joe’s team’s home games often drew large crowds and are the stuff of legend.” In 1963 and 1964, Joseph led his team to two Tri-County League Championships and a CIF playoff. In his honor, the Chino High School gymnasium floor was dedicated to both Joseph and his high school basketball coach, Frank Elder.

After graduating from high school, Joseph attended first Mt. San Antonio College and then California Polytechnic University, Pomona, where he continued to play basketball. During the summers, he organized recreational programs for children at Richard Gird Elementary School in Chino. He also worked maintaining the Little League baseball fields in the town. He completed the requirements for his Bachelor’s degree in 1972.

In 1974, Joseph inaugurated his career teaching biology to English language learners at his alma mater, Chino High. For many years, he also instructed driver’s training courses. In addition, he coached both boys’ and girls’ basketball. He led the girls’ team to 17 league championships during his nearly 30-year career as Head Coach. He also coached them to CIF Championships in 1981, 1986, and 1988.

For his work as an athletic coach, Joseph earned many accolades. In 2010, he was inducted into the Southern California Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the Chino Valley Unified School District Richard Gird Hall of Fame in 2015, and the CIF-Southern Section Hall of Fame in 2022.

Sadly, Joseph Murillo, consummate educator and coach, passed away on December 18, 2023.

Teacher Samuel Youngs: Revolutionary War veteran

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History abounds with school teachers who have earned fame outside of the classroom. Such is the case with Samuel Youngs, an American school teacher who was a close friend of famous American author Washington Irving. In fact, it has been speculated that Samuel served as the inspiration for the character of Ichabod Crane in Irving’s story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.”

Samuel Youngs was born December 4, 1760. During the Revolutionary War, he served as a lieutenant in the 4th New York Infantry Regiment led by Baron Frederick von Weissenfels. Throughout the war, Samuel served the fledgling American army as a guide over the roads and trails in the county around his home. He was one of a dozen native soldiers who were known as The Westchester Guides. His father’s farmhouse, located near the intersection of Bradhurst Avenue and Grasslands Road in Eastview, was the scene of a British raid during the Revolution.

After the Revolutionary War was won, Samuel served as a Federalist member of the New York State Assembly from 1796-1797, 1809, and 1810. Additionally, Samuel served as a Surrogate of Westchester County for terms of one or more years in 1800, 1807, 1810, 1811, and 1819.

The intrepid school teacher and veteran passed away on September 12, 7051406_1175741520611839. He was originally buried in the yard of the Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow in New York. There he was honored with other citizens of Tarrytown who fought during the Revolutionary War with a monument, pictured at left. The inscription at the bottom of the monument reads: “This monument is erected by Major General Aaron Ward, 9 division, N.Y.S.M. in testimony of his high appreciation of the services of a brave officer and a true patriot.”

In 1851, Samuel’s remains were relocated to the Dale Cemetery in Ossining, New York. He was the first person to be buried in that cemetery.

Music Educators lead their student performers in the 2024 Rose Parade

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My last two posts have been a tribute to music educators who have led their student musicians in the 135th Tournament of Roses Parade held on January 1, 2024. Here is Part 3 of a multi-day series that features some of these accomplished music educators.

Niceville Eagle Pride Marching Band: Niceville, Florida

The Niceville High School Eagle Pride Marching Band, led by Director of Bands Dan Wooten, traveled from the panhandle of Florida to represent their state in this year’s parade. This is the third appearance the 300-member Niceville Marching Band has made in the Rose Parade under Dan’s leadership.

Director of Bands Dan Wooten led his students from Niceville High School in Niceville, Florida, in the Tournament of Roses Parade. Photo credit: Emerald Coast Magazine

Dan has worked as a music educator for more than four decades, and he has taught at Niceville since 2003. In addition to his work in the classroom, he has performed with the Louisville Orchestra, the Kentuckiana Brass and Percussion Ensemble, the Cincinnati Community Orchestra, the Pensacola Opera Orchestra, and the Pensacola Symphony. He has been a guest conductor and clinician nationwide and is sought after as a consultant for both marching and concert Bands.

For his work with students, Dan has earned many accolades. In 2016, he was named to the Legion of Honor by the John Philip Sousa Foundation. He has also been awarded the National Band Association’s Citation of Excellence and Niceville High School Teacher of the Year.

Pulaski High School Marching Band: Pulaski, Wisconsin

The Pulaski High School Red Raider Marching Band performed in the Tournament of Roses Parade under the guidance of Director of Bands D. Thomas Busch. This is the fourth appearance the Wisconsin school band—which boasts 260 members—has appeared in the Rose Parade. They previously appeared in 2007, 2012, and 2017.

D. Thomas Busch, Director of Bands for the Pulaski High School Red Raiders Marching Band, led his music students in the 135th Rose Parade on January 1, 2024. Photo credit: Pulaski Community School District

The Red Raiders have a reputation as a high stepping marching band that uses choreography, chant, and singing related to the music they are performing. They use a variety of steps, including glide, kick, power, dance, spin, Latin, and wedding, in their routines.

In a career that spans more than 33 years, D. Thomas Busch has been a music educator at Pulaski since 1994. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin, Green Bay, in 1990. He earned his Master’s degree in Music Education from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 2004.

This Chalkboard Champion has earned several awards for his work with students. He garnered a Herb Kohl Fellowship in 1992 and was named a Teacher of Distinction for the Golden Apple Award Program in 2004.

William Mason High School Marching Band: Mason, Ohio

Marching Band Director Jason Sleppy led his 300-member Mason High School Comets Marching Band in the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day. This is the group’s second appearance in the prestigious parade; their first was in 2016.

The Mason Band program has garnered many accolades for their performances. They garnered both the Sudler Flag of Honor and the Sudler Shield from the John Philip Sousa Foundation. The group has earned six consecutive Bands of America (BOA) Grand National Finals appearances; five BOA Regional Championships, and they marched in the 2016 Tournament of Roses Parade.

Mason High School Marching Band Director Jason Sleppy led his students in this year’s Tournament of Roses Parade. Photo credit: Jason Sleppy

Jason Sleppy has worked as a music educator at Mason High School since 2018. He is a graduate of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where. he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education in 2008.

In 2004, Jason performed in the snareline with the Glassmen Drum & Bugle Corps. In addition, Jason was recognized nationally as part of the “Yamaha 40 Under 40 Music Education Advocacy Program.” The honor was bestowed for his efforts to provide students with opportunities to safely perform during the pandemic.

 

More music educators lead students in the 2024 Rose Parade

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As I wrote yesterday, one of my favorite events of the year is the annual Tournament of Roses Parade. The event takes place every year on the morning of January 1. This exciting parade is televised live from the city where I was born: Pasadena, California. Everything about the parade is exciting: the flower-covered floats, the sprightly equestrian units, the celebrity appearances, and the spectacular marching bands. This year, the parade theme is “Celebrating a World of Music: The Universal Language.” Every year when I watch this parade on television, the dedication of our nation’s talented music educators always amazes me. Here is Part 2 of a multi-day series that features these accomplished music educators.

Na Koa Ali’i Hawaii All-State Marching Band: Hawaii

The Na Koa Ali’i Hawaii All-State Marching Band appears in the 2024 Rose Parade under the leadership of Director of Bands John Riggle.

The Na Koa Ali’i Hawaii All-State Marching Band led by Director of Bands John Riggle appeared in yesterday’s Tournament of Roses Parade. Mr. Riggle, a native of California, attended San Jose State University, where he received both his Bachelor’s degree and Master’s Degree in Music Education.

Director of Bands John Riggle led the Na Koa Ali’i Hawaii All-State Marching Band Photo credit: Hawaii All State Marching Band

Following his college graduation, John inaugurated his career as a teacher and band director at Sunnyvale High School in the Fremont Union High School district in Fremont, California. He worked there from 1969  to 1977. During these years, the band flourished into one of the top-ranked marching bands of Northern California. John continued his career as a music educator in Hawaiian schools in 1977. He taught at the Kapalama Campus of Kamehameha Schools for 33 years before his retirement in 2009. During his tenure, the school’s band and color guard developed into one of the most renowned and successful Marcin bands in the US.

John Riggle is the founding director of the Na Koa Ali’i Hawaii All State Marching Band. He served as both the Managing and Performance Director roles and has been involved in every tour since 2003.

The Na Koa Ali’i group is comprised of students from each public and private high school that offers an instrumental/band  program throughout the State of Hawaii. The group’s musical repertoire includes Polynesian and Hawaiian Songs performed, in part, on traditional Native Hawaiian instruments. This is the fifth time an All-Hawaii group of student musicians has marched in the Tournament of Roses Parade. They also appeared in 2003, 2009, 2014, 2019. In addition, they have marched in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade three times, in 2005, 2011, and 2016.

Jenks High School Trojan Pride: Jenks, Oklahoma

The Jenks High School Trojan Pride, under the expert leadership of Director of Bands Scott Hillock, marched in the 2024 Tournament of Roses Parade.

The 200-member Jenks High School Trojan Pride, under the expert leadership of Director of Bands Scott Hillock, enjoys a national reputation for excellence in music, performing and earning the highest ratings at the most prestigious music contests and festivals across the country. This is the second appearance of the groupie the Tournament of Roses, the first was eight years ago.

Director of Bands Scott Hillock directs his student musicians in the 2024 Tournament of Roses Parade. Photo credit: Jenks High School

Scott Hillock learned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Southwestern Oklahoma State University. He earned his Master’s degree in Music Education from Southern Methodist University, where he was named the Outstanding Graduate Student for the Meadows School of the Arts.

Scott has earned many accolades as a music educator. In 1996, he was chosen as the Southwestern Oklahoma Band Directors Association Director of the Year and the Blanchard Teacher of the Year.  In 1997, he was chosen as ASBDA Young Band Director of the Year for the State of Oklahoma, and in 1999, he received the Citation of Excellence from the National Band Directors Association.  In 2002, Scott was selected as Runner-Up for the VFW’s Oklahoma Teacher of the Year and in 2006, the Oklahoma Bandmasters Association Director of the Year. More recently, Scott was named as an Exemplary Teacher by the Oklahoma Music Educators Association in 2015 and a Jenks Public Schools Vision of Excellence Recipient in 2016. He stays active as a clinician, conductor, and adjudicator throughout the state, and is currently serving as Executive Secretary for the North Central Directors Association.

Westlake High School Chaparral Band: Austin, Texas

The Westlake High School Chaparral Marching Band under the leadership of Kerry Taylor performed in the 2024 Rose Parade.

The Westlake High School Chaparral Band from Austin, Texas, under the capable leadership of Director of Bands Kerry Taylor marched in the 2024 Tournament of Roses Parade this year. Since its founding in 1969 with just 30 members, the band has grown to over 200 students and has consistently excelled in regional and super-regional marching competitions. They’ve appeared at 15 Texas UIL State Marching contests, most recently in 2021, where they ranked tenth in the largest high school classification.

Director of Bands Kerry Taylor led his student musicians from Westlake High School in their 2024 appearance of the Rose Parade. Photo credit: Westlake High School

Kerry earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and his Master’s degree in Music, both from the University of Texas at Austin. Kerry currently serves as a clinician and adjudicator in Texas and across the US and as the President-Elect for the American Bandmasters Association. He is a Past-President of the Texas Music Educators Association. Throughout his career he has earned many accolades. He has been recognized by the University Interscholastic League with the Sponsor of Excellence Award; by the John Philip Sousa Foundation as a Legion of Honor Laureate; and by the Texas Bandmasters Association with the Meritorious Achievement Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music Education.

Come back to this website tomorrow to learn about more talented music educators who escorted their students to the 2024 Rose Parade!