Norman Bledsoe, Bob Edwards, Gene Hansen, Lonnie Harris, Paul Marion

Dear Scholarship Committee Members,

I have just returned from my third and final summer of participation with Spirit Drum and Bugle Corps and am now preparing for another year at Western Carolina University. I deeply apologize for my delay in communication due to not having access to a computer while on tour with Spirit; however I do want to officially thank you for your generous support, through the Doug Shirley/ZO TKE Scholarship fund.

Please accept my sincere appreciation for your ongoing financial support and for the words of encouragement you offered in the notification email I received. I am thankful and honored that you have decided to grant me an award for a second year and want to assure you that the funds will be used wisely. As you know, my pursuit of a Music Education degree has required me to participate in many extracurricular activities over the years, such as my membership with the Pride of the Mountains Marching Band, Spirit Drum and Bugle Corps, and Music City Mystique. Your support has helped provide me opportunities to gain valuable knowledge in the fields of Music and Education as well as develop my skills as a performer. I look forward to the day when my education will allow me the opportunity to give back to others as you have given to me.

If any of you attend home football games I would enjoy the chance to meet you in person. I will be seated with the band during the game and usually have a little break during 3^{rd quarter. Most any of my fellow band members could direct you to me. Hopefully I will see you there! Thanks again for all your support and encouragement.}

Sincerely, Ben Lupton