The spectacle and musical excellence of the drum corps of Marching Music’s Major League is only made possible by the dedication of volunteers throughout the entire activity. Through them, an experience that will resonate for a lifetime for all performers can become a reality.
In an effort to highlight exceptional devotion toward this greater goal, Drum Corps International’s annual Volunteer of the Year awards reflect the true importance of these outstanding individuals.
Selected by members of the Drum Corps International Friends of DCI program, the recipients detailed below will be honored at the DCI World Championship Semifinals in Indianapolis this August.
Jennifer Gold – Boston Crusaders
Marching as a contrabass musician with Boston Crusaders from 1987 through 1990, Jennifer Gold deepened her ties to the corps by returning as a board member in 2016. She identified a key vulnerability within the organization — a lack of sustainable grant funding — and made it her responsibility to secure it.
“With no prior grants experience, Jennifer took full ownership of addressing this gap,” Boston Crusaders Hall of Fame member Melissa Greer said. “She independently mastered the grant-making landscape, researched and cultivated foundation relationships, developed evaluation tools, coordinated documentation across stakeholders, and managed complex submissions from inception to award.”
Gold’s leadership, which required intense and extensive coordination across staff, project managers, vendors and ensurement of compliance along with sure-handed execution of capital, has become a major game changer for the Crusaders.
“Before Jennifer’s leadership, annual grant revenue averaged approximately $2,500,” Greer said. “Since 2017, she has secured more than $3.6 million in funding, directly supporting organizational stability, expanded programming and enhanced educational opportunities for hundreds of young performers.”
It’s no coincidence this era of success for Boston Crusaders, including a first-time DCI World Championship in 2025, coincides with Gold’s membership on the corps’ board. Her persistent attitude in identifying a point of improvement and strategically working toward a goal is what sets her apart as an exemplary volunteer.
Rena Morton – Carolina Crown
As a 26-year veteran with the Carolina Crown organization, Rena Morton has expansive administrative experience with the Fort Mill, South Carolina-based corps. This includes a presence on the Crown Advisory Council, the Crown Board and the CrownCARES Board.
“Rena has been a generous and supportive presence for many generations of members who have come through Crown,” Carolina Crown’s Jim Coates said. “Many of whom she still cheers on as staff members at Crown and across DCI and the marching arts.”
Morton has also displayed unmatched commitment to the corps for over two decades, routinely taking on any job necessary over monthly rehearsal camps, spring training, events and tours.
“She has spent decades volunteering four weeks of her time at spring training, and then coming on tour each summer helping with meal prep, uniform maintenance, and anything else needed,” Coates said. “She would often depart spring training with the corps for two weeks, meet us back in the South, and then return for the last two weeks of the season.”
Not only is Morton extraordinarily dedicated to fostering growth and success within Crown, she’s also passionate about mentoring local underserved youth. Her selfless action in music education, securing percussion equipment donations and providing opportunities for inner city youth is a testament to her unwavering enthusiasm.
Dawn Schultz – The Cavaliers
Dawn Schultz began her lengthy run with The Cavaliers during the corps’ winter rehearsal camps in 2000. She started off as a food service volunteer while the Rosemont, Illinois-based corps made preparations for the 2001 competitive season and continued to serve through spring training at local housing sites. This was just the beginning for Schultz as she continued to step into various roles with the corps.
“Beyond her many roles and countless contributions, it’s the spirit in which she serves that stands out most,” said Alan G. Micco, MD of the Cavaliers’ board of directors. “Her kindness, sense of humor, strength in the hardest moments, and her fierce love for this corps have made her more than a volunteer — She is family.”
Schultz’s work reached the corps’ uniform department in 2003 and eventually saw an increased role and responsibility beginning in 2013. This is when she took on the role of volunteer uniform department head where she ensures consistency and care for the look of each season of The Cavaliers.
“In recognition of her extraordinary commitment, Dawn was named an Honorary Cavalier in 2017, a distinction reserved for those whose service has gone far beyond expectation and left a permanent mark on the organization,” Micco said. “She remains the only Honorary Cavalier that was nominated by the active members of the corps.”
The Volunteers Who Power DCI
Past DCI Volunteer of the Year Award Winners
2025
Mike Andrews Blue Stars, Dr. Brenda Brak The Cavaliers, Kent White The Academy
2024
Nathalie Fournier Les Stentors, Dr. Jake Levy The Cavaliers, David Trombley Carolina Crown
2023
Dr. Tom Freeman The Cavaliers, Yvonne Moss Blue Devils, Rick Woodall Boston Crusaders
2022
Dr. Gail Hansen Colts, Kathleen Bakergrumprecht-Davies Mandarins, Lori & Mike Cole Carolina Crown
2021
Nicolas Carrier Les Stentors, Jim O’Neil 7th Regiment, Lauren Ripley The Academy
2019
Ken Adams Blue Knights, John Baumgartner Phantom Regiment, Linda Vitale The Cadets
2018
Jim Williams Carolina Crown, Stephanie Hebert Santa Clara Vanguard, Scott Rhebergen The Cavaliers
2017
Jeff Manion Madison Scouts, Tina Guy Bluecoats, Bill Symoniak Colts
2016
Frank Raffa and the Cardinal Alumni Association, William Nylund Pioneer, John Schoenknecht Pioneer
2015
René Veillette Les Stentors, John Chow Mandarins, Mike Ottoes Troopers
2014
Terry Maurer Blue Devils & Santa Clara Vanguard, Gabriel Francoeur Les Stentors, Mike Wolfe Colts, Geoff
Thompson Jersey Surf
2013
Frank Milina Blue Devils B, Erik Haelman Pioneer, Bruce Chaffee Racine Scouts
2012
Sarah Bowling Blue Devils B, Mary DeSchepper Colts, Tom & Peggy Kosin DCI
2011
Rick Vale The Cadets, Surf-Six (Jersey Surf): Bill & Terri Ives, Tom & Naomi Piatek, Ted & Beverly
Vallies, Daisy Johnson 7th Regiment
2010
Steve Stueck Blue Stars, Dr. Randall W. Chaffee & Thomas Chase Racine Scouts, Becky Nelson Phantom
Regiment
2009
Helen Turner The Cavaliers, Tom & Linda Weiss The Cadets, Denise Troyer Crossmen
2008
Thelma Fung Blue Knights, Greg Lowe Carolina Crown, Marie Limpel Pioneer
2007
Romelia Evans Santa Clara Vanguard, Ray & Mary McCrary Carolina Crown, Marty & Lois Fricke Jersey Surf
2006
Friedel Cramer Pioneer, Tim Farrell Phantom Regiment, Steve Tant Carolina Crown, Bill & Pat Croissant The Cadets
2005
Joan Borden The Cadets, Dorothy Chaffee Racine Scouts, Jon & Cherrie Terry Crossmen
2004
Dorothy Jeanne Johnson Blue Stars, Pauline Sosnowich Targets
2003
Diana Kupinski Pioneer, Raymond Luniewski Lake Erie Regiment, Curt & Judy Schmidt Pioneer
2002
Teri Brinson Carolina Crown, Donald Heitzman The Cavaliers, Daniel Greer Boston Crusaders, Donald Kaihatsu Pioneer
2001
Roland Dupuy Les Stentors, Ron Gaus Dutch Boy, Carol Srdar & Doug Madar Carolina Crown
2000
Mary Cloyd Blue Devils, Carol Niklaus Lake Erie Regiment, Judy Luongo Citations, Richard Peabody Spartans
1999
Gilles Bolduc Les Etoiles, John Dvorak Madison Drum Corps Association, Joe & Phyllis Ratterman Blue Knights, Barry Woods Dutch Boy
1998
Jean Earl St. John’s, Kevin Smith Carolina Crown, Connie & Tony Bestreski Raiders
1997
Bob Fields Illusion, Bob “Archie” Irwin Crossmen, Becky Patterson Delta Brigade, The Staff of Jersey Surf Drum & Bugle Corps
1996
Traute Gilbert Troopers, Yanny Newman Spartans, Donald Vallimont Lake Erie Regiment
1995
Maye Dill Black Gold, Shirley Leslie Northwind, Harold McJury Genesee Quest, Ida Pituch Glassmen
1994
Dean Bassett Nite Express, Joe DiMaggio Delta Brigade, Dorothy Johnson Quad City Knights, Sandy Poglitsh Bluecoats
1993
Kathy Hartig The Cavaliers, Jeannie Houck Blue Devils, Betty Reirden Crossmen, Sonja Williams Blue Devils
1992
Verna Bagby Marauders, Gene Emmer Freelancers, Conrad & Dorothy Maryanski The Cavaliers, Maureen Fallon Repperet Crossmen
1991
Art Drukenbrod Bluecoats, Florence Fay Phantom Regiment, Ed Fraser Marauders, Barb Loeffelholz Madison Scouts, Pat Omilianowski Madison Scouts, Betty Short Various New York corps
1990
Paul DeLiberto Cadets of Bergen County, Denise Golden Crossmen, Neil & Iva Johnson Bluecoats, Anthony Smith Boston Crusaders
1989
Frank Davila Northern Aurora, “Aunt Nellie” DiDomenico Cadets of Bergen County, Gene Herring Quad City Knights, Mike Pituch Glassmen, J.C. Wells Velvet Knights
1988
Ted Gilbert Troopers, Wayne Huntley Quad City Knights, Neltia Kettleson Americanos, George Lucas Garfield Cadets, Marian Newcomer Blue Knights
