In the fall of 2017, the Class of 2022 lost one of their own, O'Brien Gibbs. An accomplished trumpet player, O'Brien was a lover of the Asheville Middle School band. He played in concert and jazz band, enjoyed solos, made it to All District Band, and won the 7th-grade trumpet section award.

 

He also had a huge heart for service. He spent time serving as a patrol leader for his boy scout troop, where one of his goals was to be a bugler someday. He was an officer in the National Junior Honor Society and an altar server at his church. In all of these places, he looked for opportunities to serve. He led initiatives to make cards for veterans, raised money to join a trip to decorate veterans' graves at Arlington National Cemetery, served meals to combat hunger, and much more.

 

Many of us still feel the hole that O'Brien left and want to continue to carry on his passion for band and service. Combining O'Brien's commitment to both, money donated here to the Asheville High School Band Association in O'Brien's honor will be reserved for students who desire band enrichment opportunities but who could not otherwise afford them. Band enrichment opportunities include special summer band camps at area colleges and private lessons. Donations will go straight to the Asheville High School Band Association.

 

Another fund has being created in memorial of 2 other students from the Class of 2022, Harmony Smith and Tey McAlpine. We invite you to consider this gofundme as well.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/honoring-tey-harmony?utm_medium=email&utm_source=product&utm_campaign=p_email_m_pd-5312-donation-receipt-ppgf&utm_content=internal