As part of the DCI World Championships, more than $19,000 in scholarship awards were presented to World and Open Class performers.
The Jim Jones Leadership Award, named for the the founder and director of the Troopers, is given each year to one World and one Open Class drum major for a combination of leadership qualities and conducting skills. The winners are chosen by a committee of DCI Hall of Fame members, following an in-depth interview and evaluation process.
2018’s honors were presented Friday and Saturday night at the DCI World Championships in Indianapolis to The Cadets’ Claire Albrecht and Golden Empire’s Aaron Aragon.
Albrecht, an age-out in her third year with the Allentown corps and sixth overall, is a recent graduate from the University of South Carolina.
Having been surprised with the World Class Jim Jones Award during the awards ceremony of the DCI World Championship Finals, Albrecht said the honor was an “added bonus” to an unforgettable last season with The Cadets.
“I definitely accept it on the behalf of every single Cadet out here,” she said. “They push me to do what I do, and by them showing up and doing their job, it just gives me all of my hope and faith and inspiration.”
Aaron Aragon of Golden Empire accepts the Jim Jones Leadership Award during the 2018 DCI World Championship Semifinals.
In his fifth and final year with Golden Empire — one that saw his corps venture to the DCI World Championships for the first time — Aaron Aragon echoed the sentiment that the Jim Jones Award was the cherry on top of a memorable summer.
“It’s an honor for Golden Empire, especially in the first year coming here, and for me to represent them as a drum major and get an award in our first year out here,” Aragon said. “It’s a fantastic way to represent Golden Empire, represent Bakersfield, and represent California, where we’re from.”
Recipients of the Bonfiglio Scholarship are recognized on the field of Lucas Oil Stadium.
Thirteen additional scholarships were presented at the conclusion of the DCI World Championship Semifinals on August 10 at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Fred J. Miller Memorial Music Education Fund Scholarship
Cameron Burch, Jersey Surf
Rodney Goodhart Memorial Scholarship
Nick Novy, Seattle Cascades
Michelle Owens Memorial Scholarship
Max Applegate, Boston Crusaders
George and Patsy Bonfiglio Scholarship
Reginald Dawkins, Carolina Crown
Stephanie Krichend, Boston Crusaders
Double Beat Scholarship
Brendan Forrest, Carolina Crown
Jim Ott Scholarship
Jontre Ve'an, Crossmen
Dutch in DCI Scholarship
Duncan Scheenloop, Troopers
Thirza de Bruin, Boston Crusaders
Kim Langerak, Oregon Crusaders
Performing Arts Initiative for Students of Color Scholarship
Manuel Mendoza, Bluecoats
Al Moffat Memorial Scholarship
Kalyce Conger, Mandarins
Gary Czapinski Memorial Scholarship
Jeremiah Wooton, Music City
George Zingali Scholarship
Zach Miranda, Spartans
Friends of DCI Scholarship
Jon Earl, Music City
Francesca Ramirez, Genesis
Richardson’s Scholarship
Stone Wang, Santa Clara Vanguard
Brian Dong, The Battalion