Jessica Doty was named this past week as the 26th different drum major for the Howe High School Marching Band in the program’s history, which turned 40 this past year.
Doty is the daughter of Michael and Charissa Doty of Howe. She is also active in varsity cheering, FFA, powerlifting and is a member of the region II quarterfinal champion Lady Bulldogs softball team.
“It means a lot to me to have the privilege and honor to work alongside the directors to lead this band to a successful year.” said Doty.
The process for trying out for drum major involves doing a salute, conducting, and an interview process. Band Director Angie Liss hires an outside judge (or judges) to evaluate the students on their salutes and conducting and sometimes vocal commands. Liss says that the judges will grill the students with questions involving hypothetical scenarios, what they feel are the characteristics of a good leader.
1975-76 Jerry Taylor
1976-77 Terri Straw
1977-80 Robin Hawkins
1980-81 Valerie Whitfield
1981-82 Brent Wood
1982-83 Lex Breeding
1983-85 David Whitfield
1985-86 Danielle Mailloux
1986-87 Rodney Holcomb
1987-89 Paula Mullins
1989-92 Sharla Powell
1992-93 Kent Bearden
1993-94 Carrie Mullins
1994-97 April Taylor
1997-99 Mandy Summers
1999-01 Aaron Stringfellow
2001-03 Kyle Lowder
2003-04 Laura Stringfellow
2004-05 Andrew Shaffer
2005-06 Rhapsody Fearon
2006-07 Erica Wortham
2007-08 Kayla Cook
2008-10 Jesse Richard
2010-11 Ashley Krueger
2011-12 Travis Fulton
2012-13 Makenzie Duffee
2013-15 Madeline Ansley
