Gerritt Keaton is fundraising
Strike Up The Scholarship Drive-Auburn Alumni Band
From Hannah Rose and Gerritt:
When we learned that we were selected to be the Drum Majors for the 2019 Auburn Alumni Band Reunion, we knew we wanted to make this year special both on and off the field. That is why we have organized this campaign to raise money for the Auburn Alumni Band Scholarship Endowment.
All proceeds raised will help an Auburn student have the experience with the Auburn Band that we were so fortunate to have. A little more on our stories below...
Hannah Rose's Story
Of all the things that I learned in the AUMB, the number one thing that
sticks out in my mind is from my freshman year—the 2013 Iron Bowl.
Dr. Spurlin said, “I hope these are not the best days of your life” (not what you were expecting to read, right?!).
This was shocking to little freshman me, especially when everyone told me that college would be the best time of my life. Then Dr. Spurlin continued on, explaining that college and being in the AUMB were experiences to help us grow, learn about ourselves, and to learn how we can positively impact the world around us and that it is our job to keep progressing, growing, and inspiring in whatever career we choose.
Even today, I am so grateful for those words and to have been blessed with the opportunity to be a small part of the AUMB.
My experience would not have been possible without scholarship funding, so my hope for you is that you will consider the impact the program had on your growth and help provide future students with the opportunity to be a part of our family—to learn that college should not be “the best days of [their lives]” but an incredible experience that teaches them life lessons that will equip them to accomplish even greater things.
Favorite AUMB Memory: Stepping up on the podium at the end of the 2015 Ole Miss Game (Halloween) to conduct the Alma Mater when band started singing "Happy Birthday" instead!
Gerritt's Story
When I came to Auburn to audition for the AUMB, the Trumpet section was larger than my entire High School Band - talk about culture shock! I successfully auditioned and learned more than I'd ever though I would about dedication, spirit, and responsibility throughout my first years with the band. It was this experience that pushed me to audition as a Drum Major, a position I had the honor to hold my last 2 years in the organization.
It's not until after this experience do you really realize what impact your time in the marching band has on your career. I use the leadership, decision making, and communication skills I gained as a student leader everyday in my job at Stanley Black & Decker and in my work with the Alumni Band.
I can pinpoint specific moments in time that led me to develop these skills such as my professional interview in the Drum Major audition or the pressures of calling cheers and songs during the fast pace of the "Auburn Fast" offense. I've even used AUMB Travel Itineraries at templates for business documents (sometimes you just have to roll with what works!).
I can honestly say that I would not be where I am today or have the stories I tell so often without my experience with the Auburn Band. Everyone deserves the opportunity both to attend an institution they love completely and be a part of an organization that becomes family. That is exactly why the Alumni Band and this campaign are both so important to me.
Favorite AUMB Memory: Performing at the BCS National Championship Game in the Rose Bowl OR The 2013 Iron Bowl Kick Six Game
Thank you for your contributions and... WAR EAGLE!!!
Hannah Rose Duraski '17 and Gerritt Keaton '15
Fundraising Note: The Auburn Alumni Band, Inc. is affiliated with PayPal Giving. All donations will go directly to the organization on disbursement.
When we learned that we were selected to be the Drum Majors for the 2019 Auburn Alumni Band Reunion, we knew we wanted to make this year special both on and off the field. That is why we have organized this campaign to raise money for the Auburn Alumni Band Scholarship Endowment.
All proceeds raised will help an Auburn student have the experience with the Auburn Band that we were so fortunate to have. A little more on our stories below...
Hannah Rose's Story
Of all the things that I learned in the AUMB, the number one thing that
sticks out in my mind is from my freshman year—the 2013 Iron Bowl.
Dr. Spurlin said, “I hope these are not the best days of your life” (not what you were expecting to read, right?!).
This was shocking to little freshman me, especially when everyone told me that college would be the best time of my life. Then Dr. Spurlin continued on, explaining that college and being in the AUMB were experiences to help us grow, learn about ourselves, and to learn how we can positively impact the world around us and that it is our job to keep progressing, growing, and inspiring in whatever career we choose.
Even today, I am so grateful for those words and to have been blessed with the opportunity to be a small part of the AUMB.
My experience would not have been possible without scholarship funding, so my hope for you is that you will consider the impact the program had on your growth and help provide future students with the opportunity to be a part of our family—to learn that college should not be “the best days of [their lives]” but an incredible experience that teaches them life lessons that will equip them to accomplish even greater things.
Favorite AUMB Memory: Stepping up on the podium at the end of the 2015 Ole Miss Game (Halloween) to conduct the Alma Mater when band started singing "Happy Birthday" instead!
Gerritt's Story
When I came to Auburn to audition for the AUMB, the Trumpet section was larger than my entire High School Band - talk about culture shock! I successfully auditioned and learned more than I'd ever though I would about dedication, spirit, and responsibility throughout my first years with the band. It was this experience that pushed me to audition as a Drum Major, a position I had the honor to hold my last 2 years in the organization.
It's not until after this experience do you really realize what impact your time in the marching band has on your career. I use the leadership, decision making, and communication skills I gained as a student leader everyday in my job at Stanley Black & Decker and in my work with the Alumni Band.
I can pinpoint specific moments in time that led me to develop these skills such as my professional interview in the Drum Major audition or the pressures of calling cheers and songs during the fast pace of the "Auburn Fast" offense. I've even used AUMB Travel Itineraries at templates for business documents (sometimes you just have to roll with what works!).
I can honestly say that I would not be where I am today or have the stories I tell so often without my experience with the Auburn Band. Everyone deserves the opportunity both to attend an institution they love completely and be a part of an organization that becomes family. That is exactly why the Alumni Band and this campaign are both so important to me.
Favorite AUMB Memory: Performing at the BCS National Championship Game in the Rose Bowl OR The 2013 Iron Bowl Kick Six Game
Thank you for your contributions and... WAR EAGLE!!!
Hannah Rose Duraski '17 and Gerritt Keaton '15
Fundraising Note: The Auburn Alumni Band, Inc. is affiliated with PayPal Giving. All donations will go directly to the organization on disbursement.
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