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Wednesday, December 26, 2007 The Braselton News Page 5B School Osborne Middle School students advance to state band auditions BY KRISTI REED Six Osborne Middle School students have earned the opportunity to audition for the 2007-2008 Georgia Middle School All State Band. The students were selected based on their performance at the district competition held on December 1. Matthew Abraham, Sam Powers, Trace Rawl, Eddie Rothermel, Shane Powers and Jonathan Gluck received out standing scores at the district level and will audition for the all state band on January 19 in Perry. For the audition, each stu dent will be given a new piece of music to play. The student will be allowed to study the piece briefly before perform ing it in front of a panel of judges. The judges will score the performance based on the student’s sight reading ability and performance skills. Students selected for the all state band will meet in Savannah, during the last week of February for two days of rehearsals. After rehearsals, the all state band will perform a public concert to showcase the talents of the chosen musi cians. Osborne Middle School band director David Greene said it is an impressive achievement for students to be selected for the all state band. “You bring in all the top band players from all the band pro grams in the district and create district level bands,” Greene explained. “Then you have some really strong players who earn the right to go and audi tion at the state level. From that audition, you have taken the best players statewide and created a band. When students make it to that level, it’s quite an accomplishment.” Green said auditioning for the all state band is differ ent from other competitions where the participants compete against each other. “They’re competing against a standard of excellence. The judges are listening to them and looking for the top play ers, the ones who can play the best and are the most profi cient,” Greene said. Greene believes the success of his students is indicative of the strength of the Osborne Middle School music pro gram. “We all hope that it is a reflection of what is going on in our program,” Greene said. “The more children you get into a district band and into the all state band means that your program is strong because those kids are showing a level of proficiency against a statewide measure.” Jackson County students named to GSU honor band Two Jackson County Comprehensive High School band students have been named to the Georgia State University Honor Band. Sean Hoc kin and Eric Godfrey will perform with the group Feb. 10 - 11 in Atlanta. The band will be conducted by Dr. Robert Ambrose, pro fessor of music and director of instrumental studies at GSU. Students were chosen based on their past honors and accom plishments in band. Sean is the son of Bill and Cindy Cypher of Athens. He plays bass clarinet and is a senior at JCCHS. Eric is the son of Rod and Clare Godfrey of Braselton. He plays saxo phone and is a sophomore at JCCHS. Both Sean and Eric were members of the 2007 Georgia All-State Band and hold first chair positions in the 2008 District Honor Band. ERIC GODFREY SEAN HOCKIN Congressman announces essay contest for 10th District Congressman Paul Broun has announced that he is holding an essay contest for 10 th District high school students. The “Pledge” to the Georgia Flag states, “I pledge allegiance to the Georgia Flag and to the principles for which it stands: wisdom, justice, and modera tion.” These three virtues are list ed across the banner that wraps around the arch on the Georgia Seal. This essay contest allows any 10 th Congressional District High School Student to write an essay of up to 250 words on one of those virtues and why the virtue is important to them as a young person and to Georgia as a state. The contest rules are as fol lows: •Submit all essays by e-mail to: essay@paulbrown.com. •Essays must be typed, prefer ably in MS Word, double-spaced, and no more then 250 words. •Include contact information and write one paragraph at the end of the essay about your favorite high school teacher or administrator and how they have influenced your life. •Students writing winning essays will receive a flag, a copy of the Constitution, and a signed photo with the Congressman and their favorite teacher or admin istrator. The deadline is March 14. T r , /i-Awf! Gerard "Pepe" Cummings VP Business Development Hamilton State Bank 1596 Washington Street Jefferson, GA 30549 (706) 367-1860 ext: 222 (706) 654-1083 (Cell) V>Ie Would Like To Welcome Gerard "Pepe" Cummings has joined Hamilton State Bank as a Vice President focusing on Business Development. Cummings will be based at Hamilton State Bank's Jefferson branch and will be focusing primarily on the Jackson County market. Cummings served as the President and CEO of the Jackson County Area Chamber of Commerce for seven years. His direction resulted in over $700 million in new investments and the creation of over 4,000 new jobs for Northeast Georgia. Cummings was a charter member of the Braselton Rotary and is currently on the Board of Directors for Jackson County Boys and Girls Club. He is an active member of the Jackson County Area Chamber of Commerce, serving on the Education committee. Hamilton State Bank is proud to welcome Gerard "Pepe" Cummings. )FDIC Community Health Screen /lasted by Athens Regional Merfitnf Center's Htkilsh t'chuution ursd Chtlfnltienl Rehiib dt:[xlrfnien{S Tuesday, January 15, 2008 4:00-7:00 p.m. Jefferson Medical Center 2nd floor Screenings Offered: Blood pressure Bone density Cholesterol and Blood sugar (non-fasting) SI5 charge for Cholesterol ami Blood Sugar screen Mobility in Your 50s and Beyond: Rehah screenings will include Vision - the impact of changes in contrast sensitivity Ve&tibtilar and Balance - the impact on mobility and function Musculoskeletal - the impact of general orthopedic and muscular issues as we age Carfit: Information about helping mature dri vers find their perfect fit. This program is designed to give you a quick but comprehensive duck by a trained professional on how well you and your vehicle work together. Appointment? for a future Carfit screening date CQn Itl 1 made at the Community lU'ciIth Screen. Other members of the Athens Region til tenrn will filco be available to provide iLiformiirion on Diabetes Prevention and Management, Breast Health and Rehabilitation services including low vision, balance, orthopedics and hands, Registration If not required. Athens Regional 4 Huum 1 frr jHntirml ErrrMmre For more information call Health Relocation at (706) 475-5620,