Out of 1,300 nominations, Lindsey Phillips twirled her way to the top.
Phillips, a member of the Jamestown High School color guard, was one of 125 senior musicians selected for the 2014 U.S. Army All-American Marching Band. Members are chosen not only for their musical skill, but also for their demonstrated leadership and character.
“Not just anyone can be a soldier and not just anyone can be a U.S. All-American marching member,” said Chris Zeller of All-American Games, the company that owns and produces the All-American Bowl, at Tuesday’s ceremony.
Phillips, who was honored at a ceremony at Jamestown High on Tuesday, will be among the select few who get to wear the colors of the U.S. Army.
She fell in love with color guard after being encouraged by her friends to join during her freshman year of high school. Also a piano player, she said she enjoys leadership and the sisterly bond that comes from being a member of the group.
“And I love performing,” she said.
High school musicians from across the country compete to be chosen for the elite organization, which plays during halftime at the All-American Bowl in San Antonio. Ninety high school football athletes will play in the bowl game.
Students must be nominated by a band director for consideration in the ensemble, plus submit a set of videos of themselves performing and a personal statement. Then the waiting process begins.
“I was losing sleep at night. I had no idea if I would make it,” Phillips said.
Kevin and Connie Phillips, Lindsey’s parents, said they were as nervous as their daughter while waiting for the results.
“I thought that it would be challenging for her, and also rewarding if she was chosen,” said Kevin Phillips, who also complimented his daughter for her “gumption” to follow through and be successful.
When Phillips read the email accepting her into the band, she burst into tears.
Her mom praised Phillips for the amount of work the high school student put into it, practicing long hours at home in preparation.
“We’ve had flags all over the house,” she stated.
U.S. Army Sgt. Quentin Nichols of Virginia said Tuesday the All-American Band experience “emphasizes the unique skills and values necessary in the Army, in marching, and in life.”
He said Phillips’ selection was an honor to the entire Jamestown Marching Band for the support it gives to its members and to the school.
“One of the major things I have learned throughout the years is that hard work and dedication pays off,” Phillips said in a short speech. She also thanked her teachers and friends for their support and patience.
Phillips was presented with an official All-American Bowl Jacket, a cap and a marching band hat, to the thunderous applause of a band room full of her family and peers.
Steve Turner, the band director of Jamestown High School, was also thanked and given a hat for his service.
Turned said this is the fifth year in a row that a Jamestown High School student was selected for the All-American Marching Band, but that each student has been unique in his or her talents.
Phillips is the one who smiles the most, and stays the latest practicing, he said.
“She just always has a positive attitude, and works very hard,” Turner said.
While there is a legacy of Jamestown band members going to the bowl, Phillips is the first color guard performer to be picked.
Turner explained the guard is “another facet of the marching band, one that’s usually overlooked, but a very important part.”
Sharene Jones is the color guard instructor at Jamestown High School, and has worked with Phillips for all four of her years on the guard. She said Phillips is a “definite leader” and one of the two members who she often turns to as a mentor for younger girls in the group.
“I’m ecstatic, and very proud,” she said, about having one of her students in the All-American Marching Band.
Phillips said she “definitely” plans to continue with color guard in college. Phillips is also considering auditioning for Drum Corps International, an organization of elite marching units composed of high school and college musicians who tour the country and compete every summer.
The All-American Bowl will be broadcast live at 1 p.m. Jan. 4 on NBC.
The bowl has been the nation’s premier high school football game for 13 years, and is the Army’s largest annual public outreach effort. The All-American Marching Band is in its seventh year.
For five of those years, the ensemble has included a member of the Jamestown High School Marching Band.
Zeller acknowledged the Selection Tour, which visits the hometowns of chosen members for recognition ceremonies like Phillips’, has been to Williamsburg before.
“It’s becoming a bit of a tradition, but does not minimize anything that has been accomplished here today,” he said.
