15 Neshoba Central High seniors receiving college band scholarships

Even though state band competitions and contests were canceled over the past year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, members of the Neshoba Central Big Blue Band still brought their instruments to school and practiced away as if they were preparing for competitions anyway. 

The Neshoba Central Big Blue Band persevered with their instruments, and 15 senior band members caught the attention of colleges and were selected for more than $250,000 total in scholarships. 

Daniel Wade, director of the Big Blue Band, said he has been directing at Neshoba Central for 16 years and that this particular year has been his favorite year yet. 

“Seeing these seniors get scholarships and watching all the hard work they’ve put in over the past seven years pay off is incredible,” Wade said. “Witnessing them go to the next chapter of their lives at the college level and playing in bands there while having the money they’re getting to help pay for college is amazing.” 

The seniors who received band scholarships are: 

• Tevia Smith, who will attend Mississippi State University

• Zavibien Welch, who will attend Mississippi State University

• Haley Russell, who will attend Mississippi State University

• Damien Clark, who will attend Mississippi State University

• Landon Penson, who will attend East Central Community College

• Noah Hutchinson, who will attend East Central Community College

• Ethan Smith, who will attend East Central Community College

• Zeb Spire, who will attend East Central Community College

• Jidda Pettis, who will attend East Central Community College

• Lindsey Beckham, who will attend East Central Community College

• Nina Littlefield, who will attend East Central Community College

• Lauren O’Reilly, who will attend East Central Community College 

• Sofia Euyoque, who will attend The University of Mississippi

• Jackson Thompson, who will attend William Carey University

• Skylar Sardin, who will attend Mississippi University for Women

Wade said the students’ perseverance through the pandemic showed through their dedicatoin that included having halftime shows when many other band programs in the state did not. 

“These kids navigated through COVID with hardly any issues,” Wade said. “We started on June 1 of last year, which is when our governor allowed us to start having activities, and we slowly worked our way into it. In a society where a lot of programs and events have been canceled, I wanted to still have our band activities while staying within the guidelines and keeping our kids safe.” 

The seniors who got the scholarships have worked hard and have the playing ability to obtain the scholarships, Wade said, adding colleges are looking for students who know how to fulfill an obligation. Most of the students have been in the band for seven years, and have participated in band longer than probably anything else in their life, he said. 

Wade said that no matter the scholarship, big or small, the students have worked hard and deserve every penny. 

“As we’re coming out of this pandemic, the kids in this band program have excelled,” Wade said. “Even though our state competition was canceled this year, they still came to school, practiced with their instruments, and did the normal contest preparations even though there was no contest. That’s why this is my favorite year. The kids have worked hard and persevered even when they didn’t have to.” 

Wade said that when it came to applying for the scholarships, the students went online since everything this year was paperless and contact-free. They contacted the band director of each respective college they wished to attend and auditioned. 

In some cases, students will get a scholarship based on just being in the band since the directors at colleges know the caliber of band students at Neshoba Central, Wade said. They will get the scholarships based on the recommendation of the band director since those directors know what kind of student they will be getting.

“I’m excited that we’re starting to go back to normal and that next year can be a normal year for the Big Blue Band,” he said. “Hopefully, we can get back to doing contests, performances and playing at the Neshoba County Fair.”