One of the most familiar smells of the Fulton County Fair is that of the sweet Wauseon Music Boosters donuts wafting through the air from the under the Grandstand. The annual doughnut frenzy, the major fundraiser of the Music Boosters, involves hard work and a labor of love and is probably what the Boosters are most known for. Although the sweet treats are delicious, the Wauseon Music Boosters are busy year round supporting and building the musical talent of our local youth, and they recently have received a statewide award for their efforts and hard work.
The Wauseon Music Boosters exists to support and supplement the musical programs of the Wauseon schools. This past fall, the music staff at Wauseon collaborated to complete a nomination for the Wauseon Music Boosters as an Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) “Outstanding Music Support Group.” The OMEA State Board voted and have chosen the Wauseon Music Boosters as the 2014 OMEA “Outstanding Music Support Group.”
Robin Yackee, Music Boosters Secretary shares that the Music Boosters support “every aspect of anything to do with music in the schools.” The Boosters provide support to the bands, choirs, and educational musical classes. They support band camp, musical trips, buy instruments, music, and band uniforms.
Upon learning of the award, Wauseon Band Director Eric Boswell expressed, “This is outstanding news for Wauseon! We appreciate all the Boosters do on behalf of music in Wauseon!! To my knowledge, Wauseon has never received this award before. As a music staff, we are fortunate to work in a school district with supportive administrators and teachers who support music as much as they possibly can from both a scheduling and financial perspective. Staying ahead of the cost of great music programs can be very expensive and we are lucky to have an outstanding group of parents who work to fund raise to make up this difference. The time spent and the amount of funds raised by the Wauseon Music Boosters has set them apart as being an outstanding music support group in Ohio.”
A brief recognition at the OMEA State Conference in Columbus on Friday, February 7th will be held prior to the All State Band Performance. Booster officers and chairs will attend and come on stage to accept the award. Wauseon music teachers and officers will be invited to a reception the next morning.
More formal details from the state OMEA board will be provided to the Music Boosters in the coming weeks. The current Music Boosters Officers include Laura Kamp, President, Doug Stiriz, VP, Wendy Hardy, Co-Treasurer, Lynne Boyers, Co-Treasurer, and Robin Yackee, Secretary. The Wauseon Schools Music Staff is comprised of Jessica Aeschliman, Choir Director, Eric Boswell, Band Director, Caitlyn Lay, Elementary Music Teacher, Jason Lozer, Assistant Band Director, and Betsy Wenger, Primary Music Teacher.