January 25, 2011
Tuesday PM

(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - Five Ketchikan students have been selected to receive 2011 Sam Pitcher Music Scholarships. The students are 7th grader Katie Powers, daughter of Karl and Julie Powers, 8th grader Thomas Varela, son of Gilbert and Kathleen Varela, 9th graders Jillianne Fazakerley, daughter of Glen and Elizabeth Fazakerley, Abigail Sweetman, daughter of David and Marggie Sweetman, and Treva Widness, daughter of Bob and Ann Widness. The scholarships are for $500 each awarded on the basis of merit, goals and musicianship. All recipients plan to attend the Sitka Fine Arts Camp.

2011 Sam Pitcher Scholarship Winners
Left to Right: Katie Powers, Abigail Sweetman, Thomas Varela, Jillianne Fazakerley, and Treva Widness.

Katie Powers has studied flute, piano, and saxophone. Katie wants to improve on these instruments and continue playing all three throughout high school.

Thomas Varela plays the French horn and sings. He is also involved in tap and jazz dance. Thomas enjoys performing in concerts and theater. He hopes to work professionally in the arts as an adult.

Jillianne Fazakerley plays piano, trumpet and trombone. She has been selected for Southeast Honor Band and All Alaska Jazz Band. Jillianne also performs music at her church and hopes to be able to continue this mission.

Abigail Sweetman sings, plays flute, tenor saxophone, and oboe. Abigail is the only freshman in Kayhi’s Wind Ensemble.  She hopes to continue to improve on all her instruments, especially the oboe which she has just recently started playing.

Treva Widness sings, plays piano, clarinet and bass. She wants to improve and be exposed to different music perspectives in Sitka. In the future, she hopes to attend college with a major in music performance.

The Sam Pitcher Music Scholarship Fund was started following Sam’s death in 2003 at age 16. Sam’s passion was music. He participated in all the Kayhi and McPherson bands as well as The Rubber Band. Sam attended both The Sitka Fine Arts Camp and Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan. The scholarships are for Ketchikan students in grades 7 – 12 to attend summer music programs like the ones Sam enjoyed.

Two $500 scholarships were first awarded in 2004. Since then 33 scholarships have been awarded.  The primary fundraiser for the scholarships is the Sam Pitcher Memorial Concert, “An Evening of Jazz, Blues and Rock,” which usually takes place in early December. Tax deductible donations can be made to the fund at any time in care of The Ketchikan Area Arts and Humanities Association, 330 Main Street, Ketchikan, AK 99901. The Sam Pitcher Memorial Scholarship Fund is a fiscally sponsored project of the KAAHC.  Sam’s parents and 7 others serve on the advisory committee.

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