Wesson Represented at Co-Lin’s Annual Band and Colette Scholarship Reception

Special to Wesson News

Four Co-Lin Blue Wave Show Band scholarship recipients were recognized at the annual scholarship reception at Co-Lin. 

Pictured (left to right) are Jessica Breazeale, Co-Lin Alumni and Foundation Band/Colette chapter president, Mara Norwood, Ralph and Dot Franklin Colette Scholarship recipient; Hayden Huffman of Magee, Mark Hamilton Memorial Scholarship recipient; Jarvis Wilson, recipient of the Clyde Wilson Band and Colette Scholarship; Geralyn Russell, band/Colette alumni chapter vice president; and Antwone Peters of Prentiss, Stanley Stewart Band Scholarship recipient.  

The Franklin Colette Scholarship was established by former Colettes in 2000 for deserving returning sophomore Colettes in the Co-Lin district.  Dot Franklin was instrumental in establishing the Colettes in 1949 and Ralph Franklin was band director noted for devising innovative performances and use of props. 

The Hamilton scholarship was established to honor Mark Hamilton, a 1979 graduate and past president of the Band and Colette Alumni Chapter. He was instrumental in the development of the Princess Ball fundraiser, which has raised thousands of dollars to support the college and the Blue Wave Show Band.  A recipient must have at least a 3.0 GPA and be a member of the band.  

The Wilson scholarship was established to honor Clyde Wilson, a 1950 graduate who returned as band director for 10 years. Under his leadership, the Blue Wave Band became one of the most outstanding community college bands in the nation. A recipient must be a member of the band, a member of the auxiliary, a Colette, or a manager in good standing, and have completed at least one semester and have a minimum of a 2.0 GPA.

The Co-Lin Band and Colette Alumni Chapter established the Stewart scholarship in 2015 to honor the former band director who was involved with the Co-Lin music program for more than 40 years.  The auditorium in the Maggie Flowers Ewing Building is also named for in his honor. A recipient must have completed at least one semester with at least a 2.0 GPA and be a member of the band, a Colette, in the auxiliary, or a manager.  Co-Lin's Alumni Association's Bluewave Band and Colette Chapter raises money for student scholarships, with the annual Princess Ball, a father-daughter dance held in the college's Thames Center every February, generating the most funds.