Marching band preps for school year

The school's Marching Lions started a two-week band camp on Monday. For about 12 hours at the school everyday, they'll be working on the 2008-09 show, "Contessa's Love," which they will perform at competitions throughout the school year, according to Vivian Laxton, the publicity chairwoman for the Walkersville High Band Boosters.

"It's pretty intense," Laxton said last week. "These kids are learning really complicated music."

The show is based on the musical, "Carmen." The marching band hired a professional to write the show. Rising seniors Freddy Brehm and Cody Stevens play the roles of "the General" and "The Matador," respectively, according to Laxton. Rising junior Ally Smith plays "Contessa."

Boosters work year round to raise funds for their band. The goal? Roughly &#e6;40,000, according to Laxton. The funds pay for five or six staff members to complement Walkersville High band director Windy Neal, for registration for competitions, new instruments, uniform cleaning, bus transportation and a trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., for a spring competition.

In addition to Neal, assistant director Brandon Strawther, visual instructor Tara Woolley, drum line instructor Ryan Atlow and pit instructor/drum technician Bill Smith will lead the band this year.

The marching band held a car wash July 19 at the parking lot of MyBank at the intersection of Md. Route 26 and Monocacy Boulevard.

"We had 35 cars come through," Laxton said. The band made more than &#e6;350 "which is great, because we only asked for &#e6;5 for car."

The next fundraiser is one of the biggest of the year. The band is planning to canvass the entire Walkersville feeder pattern on two "Tag" days Ò Aug. 23 and Sept. 6 Ò with the hope of raising more than &#e6;4,000, Laxton said.

Laxton's son, Colin, 14, will be a sophomore at Walkersville High this year and play with the band.

Walkersville High competes in the Tournament of Bands Group 1, Chapter 5, which comprises high school marching bands in Baltimore, Howard, Montgomery, Carroll and Frederick counties that have 35 instrumentalists or less.

For more information, or to aid the fundraising effort, visit www.whsmusic.org.

Bicycle ride

benefits Habitat

Organizers of the 13th annual Catoctin Challenge charity bicycle ride, held July 12 and 13, raised &#e6;35,000 for Habitat for Humanity of Frederick, according to an e-mail from Phil Heffler, a representative of the nonprofit.

The challenge had two routes: a 115-mile route between Frederick and Gettysburg, and a 65-mile route.

Riders went from Frederick Community College to Gettysburg College, and then to Adams County and Ski Liberty and on to an overnight camp at Blue Ridge Summit.

Riders ate an Outback Steakhouse dinner and listened to a three-band show headlined by Pittsburgh's Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers.

For more information about Habitat for Humanity of Frederick, visit www.frederickhabitat.org.

On campus

nAmanda Glenn, of Walkersville and Kristina Brakebill, of Woodsboro were named to the spring 2008 dean's list at Messiah College. Glenn is a senior majoring in social work. Brakebill is a senior majoring in nursing. Students at the Grantham, Pa. Christian college must have a 3.6 grade point average or higher.

nLauren Thomas, of Walkersville has been named to the dean's list for the spring 2008 semester at Frederick Community College. Thomas has been accepted to West Virginia University where she will begin her studies in the physical therapy program. Thomas currently works for MMI as a physical therapy technician.

nFour northern Frederick County residents recently graduated from Virginia Tech.

The graduates are Dawn Becker, of Thurmont, who received a bachelor's degree in English, and, from Walkersville, Andrew Abrecht, who received a bachelor's degree in business management, Emily Fogle, who received a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and Noah Matesa, who also received a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering.

Do you have an item for North County Notes? Contact reporter Jeremy Hauck at 301-846-2127, e-mail jhauck@gazette.net or fax news to 301-846-2124.