Ersa Kiker Scholarship

The Ersa Kiker scholarship is given to a senior student that exhibits discipline, loyalty, pride, and dedication to the Altus High School Band. Recipients may attend the college or university of their choice and are not required to be enrolled in band while receiving the scholarship funds. All donations are tax deductible and may be sent to:

Altus High School Band
Ersa Kiker Scholarship Fund
400 North Park Avenue
Altus, Oklahoma 73521

Past Receipants of the"Ersa Kiker Award"

Tim Schwamb
1990-1991

Chris Hampton
1991-1992

Fred Ferenczhalmy
1992-1993

Stephen Edwards
1993-1994

Laura Clayton
1994-1995

Kevin Moore
1995-1996

Jeremy Alexander
1996-1997

Deidre Clements
1997-1998

Kaycee Howard
1998-1999

Muriel McClain
1999-2000

Brandi Crosnoe
2000-2001

Anna Baldwin
2001-2002

Blake DeLao
2002-2003

Jonathan Kelly
2003-2004

A.J. Powell
2004-2005

Sam Craig Memorial Scholarship

Sam Craig 1954 - 1996

The Sam Craig Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in December 1996 immediately following Sam's death. It was established to honor an outstanding senior band member of "That Altus Band". It is given to a senior student that exhibits discipline, loyalty, pride, and dedication to the Altus High School Band. Recipients may attend the college or university of their choice and must be enrolled in band while receiving the scholarship funds. The fund is operated by the Western Oklahoma State College Alumni Foundation, Altus, Oklahoma. All donations are tax deductible and may be sent to:

Western Oklahoma State College
Alumni Foundation
Sam Craig Memorial Scholarship Fund
2801 North Main
Altus, Oklahoma 73521

Past Receipants of the "Sam Craig Memorial Scholarship"

Becky Craig
1996-1997

Jaret Jacks
1997-1998

David Craig
1998-1999

Terri Dunn
1999-2000

Sharyn Shafer
2000-2001

Christen Phelan
2001-2002

Stephanie Schroyer
2002-2003

Anthony Linares
2003-2004

Andrew Soliven
2004-2005

John Philip Sousa Award

John Philip Sousa was born in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 6, 1854. His father was born in Spain of Portuguese parents and his mother was Bavarian. Sousa, known as the "March King," ranks among the most famous American composers and conductors. On December 25, 1896, he composed The Stars and Stripes Forever, the official march of the United States of America. Sousa was the inventor of the sousaphone. He died on March 6, 1932 in Reading, Pennsylvania and is buried in the Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

Sousa was the leader of the U.S. Marine Band from 1880 until 1892. After leaving the Marine Band, he formed his own band, which toured Europe several times and was the first American band to make a tour around the world. The band had its own baseball team.

Since 1954 thousands of high schools have honored their top band students with the John Philip Sousa Award. The pinnacle of achievement in a high school band program, the Sousa Award recognizes outstanding dedication and superior musicianship. The award has become a nationwide symbol of excellence in musical achievement.

Past Receipants of the John Philip SouSa Award

Roger Quibodeaux
1967-1968

Pat Phelan
1968-1969

Maria Guajarbo
1969-1970

Zoe Ann McPherson
1970-1971

Chrystal Lapin
1971-1972

John Phelan
1972-1973

Steve Freeman
1973-1974

Erin Baucum
Terri Kelley
1974-1975

Kin Winkle
1993-1994

Roz Bryant
1994-1995

Roz Bryant
Jeanie Jacks
1995-1996

Brent Schartung
1996-1997

Michael Gooden
1997-1998

David Craig
1998-1999

Terri Dunn
1999-2000

Ben Worcest
2000-2001

Tracy McAskill
2001-2002

Blake Deleao
2002-2003

Alexandra Bowen
2003-2004

Brittany DeLao
2004-2005

Louis Armstrong Award

Louis Armstrong was born in a poor section of New Orleans known as "the Battlefield" on August 4, 1901. By the time of his death in 1971, the man known around the world as Satchmo was widely recognized as a founding father of jazz - a uniquely American art form. His influence, as an artist and cultural icon, is universal, unmatched, and very much alive today.

Through the year, Louis entertained millions, from heads of state and royalty to the kids on his stoop in Corona. Despite his fame, he lived a simple life in a working-class neighborhood. To this day, everyone loves Satchmo - just the mention of his name makes people smile.

Past Receipants of the Louis Armstrong Award

Michael Goodin
1995-1996

John Clayton
1996-1997

Michael Goodin
1997-1998

Blake Pewo
1998-1999

Chris Doan
1999-2000

Seniors
2000-2001

Kelly Goodin
Chris Roland
2001-2002

Josh Johnson
2002-2003

Justin Hendrix
2003-2004

Alex Gerasimov
2004-2005