LAKEVILLE - When she was about 10 years old, Gabriella Roper wanted to be in the LaVille Band. Along the way, Roper learned about helping transport equipment for practices and performances, along with all the music band members memorize, the shows the band performs, and practicing in a variety types of weather outdoors. Little did Roper know that all that hard work would pay off. After eight years in the LaVille Royal Regiment, Roper earned the John Philip Sousa Award. "The John Philip Sousa Award is awarded to a band member with outstanding dedication to both the school's music program and a passion for music in general along with great leadership and personal life skills," said LaVille Royal Regiment director Cameron Banks. "Being chosen for this award gives the recipient knowledge knowing their contributions to the program will live on forever in both the physical meaning of the trophy and certificate they receive and the plaque in the school that will always have that recipient's name listed so people will always know of that person's outstanding contributions." Over the years, Roper says that she has learned much more than music. "My time in the band has taught me a lot of life lessons," explained Roper, who grew up with parents that played instruments. "From learning time management to leadership skills that I can take with me throughout my life. I put a lot of time and dedication into the band and it paid off." Music requires the integration of hand-eye coordination, rhythm, symbol recognition and interpretation, attention span, and other factors that represent synthetic aspects of human intelligence. In addition, critical thinking, problem solving, and learning how to work cooperatively toward shared goals are all skills which are reinforced through music education. "I've been in the band since I was in fifth grade, that's a long time to be in the band," said Roper, a two-year varsity letterwinner on the golf team. "My parents played instruments so naturally I followed in their footsteps. My Dad played the saxophone and my mom the clarinet, I ended up playing clarinet and for my senior year saxophone." According to Roper, the Sousa Award came quite surprisingly. "When I found out I was the recipient of the John Phillips Sousa award, I was so shocked," said Roper. "I was utterly speechless. I actually started tearing up in class because I didn't think I would get the award. I had felt, in that moment, that I had put in all this effort for it to pay off big time." Band encourages friendships, cultivates creativity and provides students with a unique opportunity to grow as individuals. Musical training also helps develop language and reasoning skills, along with team skills, goal setting, and work ethic. Roper started her musical experience with the clarinet, but picked up on the saxophone. "Gabby played clarinet in marching, concert, pep, and jazz band along with saxophone in jazz as well," said Banks. "She was chosen as the band captain this year. This is like being a marching drum major with regards to the leadership roles in marching band." According to Banks, he recognized Roper as a key student during his first year at LaVille Jr.-Sr. High School. "Gabby was an important asset to the band from day one of my arrival," concluded Banks. "She jumped head first into a program with a brand new director with zero complaints and was immediately as helpful as possible. I know without a doubt, we would not have been as successful without her leadership and contributions to the program." Time well spent for Gabby. RECENT JOHN PHILIP SOUSA AWARD RECIPIENTS LaVille Royal Regiment 2023 - Gabrielle Roper 2022 - Mackenzie Johnson 2021 - Jordan Keen 2020 - Nicholas Sherk 2019 - Chase Tompkins 2018 - Haylie Cox 2017 - Kenneth Cramer II 2016 - Ryne Wright