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Cabot students honored for All‑State band selections
Summary
Board recognized more than 20 students from Cabot School District and Caddo Panther Academy who earned All‑State band selection; district leaders and students described preparation and next steps.
The Cabot School District board on April 7 recognized students selected for the All‑State band, and district leaders said the honor reflects months of individual preparation and can strengthen college and scholarship applications.
Board members presented certificates to students from multiple schools, including Caddo Panther Academy. Superintendent‑elect Michael Berg and band director Rusty Hart introduced the honorees and described the audition process, which students and staff said begins with regional auditions and culminates in state‑level competition.
Hart said the process begins in the spring and continues with regional auditions in January; students who qualify at regionals then audition for All‑State against other top performers statewide. “This is an individual thing,” Hart said, noting each student must earn a spot on their own. He also noted the recognition can bolster scholarship and job applications.
Students who spoke briefly to the board identified their instruments, years in the district and college plans. Examples included Patrick (senior, percussion, University of Arkansas), Andrew Saar (tuba, University of Arkansas, biomedical studies), Hudson Merrick (trumpet, University of Arkansas, music education) and several others who said they plan to pursue music education or engineering at universities including the University of Arkansas, UCA and Purdue.
Board president and former band director Kevin Shuskey, who told the students he was a 1977 All‑State trumpet player, congratulated them on their achievement and said the district will present certificates and photographs next door after the meeting.
The board noted the district may publicize student recognitions and that some honorees may be eligible for scholarship money connected to district programs and community partners. Parents and staff were invited to join the post‑meeting photos and certificate presentations.
