BOB HOPE BAND $20,000 SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED TO EMMA MARTIN & The Franklin Regional High School Marching Band from Murrysville, PA
Performing November 28th in the 93rd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®
NEW YORK, NY – – Emma Martin, currently a Band front Silk (Color guard) who has also played the trumpet in the marching band and The Franklin Regional High School Marching Band of Murrysville, PA has been named the 2019 recipients of the 16th annual Bob Hope Band Scholarship Award. The award is judged by a panel from Macy’s on the merit of an essay competition about Bob Hope, his contributions to America and the importance of giving back. The announcement was made by Wesley Whatley, creative director, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®. Ms. Martin, 18, is a silk flag twirler and will be seen in performance with the Franklin High School Marching Band in this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade which can be seen Thursday, November 28th on NBC (9 a.m. – noon in all time zones).
This year marks 16 consecutive years that Macy’s and the Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation have proudly presented the Bob Hope Band Scholarship Award. The scholarship is designed to honor one outstanding band member and their school band program participating in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
The award is especially meaningful because, during their lifetimes, Bob and Dolores Hope were truly honored and delighted to be featured in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and recognized for their service. Moreover, as a gifted song and dance man, Bob knew the importance of music and education, especially to young people.
For almost a century, Bob Hope was celebrated for his ability to make people laugh. He became one of America’s best-loved entertainers rising to #1 in radio, television, and films. He was a proud American immigrant who gave his time to bring a sense of home to our troops stationed around the world. Beginning with WWII and continuing for almost six decades, he worked with the USO to bring humanity and hope to our men and women in uniform. This marks an especially memorable period, because this coming year represents the 75th anniversary of the end of WWII, and we honor those who served and Bob entertained for their service during this historic time in our country.
This is the legacy of Bob Hope.
“On behalf of the Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation, and particularly on behalf of my dad, Bob Hope, I want to congratulate Emma Martin on her most creative essay,” said Linda Hope. “I know that my parents would be very proud that such an accomplished and caring young woman was this year’s scholarship recipient,” she added.
Emma is a senior at Franklin Regional High School. She resides in Murrysville with her parents Janice and Bob Martin. Her two sisters live close by in Pittsburgh; Gretta, 23, a NICU Nurse and Grace, 22, a senior nursing student at Duquesne University.
Her special interests and accomplishments include the National Honor Society (officer), Science National Honor Society, Advanced Choir (officer), Jazz Vocal Ensemble, Wind Ensemble (trumpet), High School Marching Band (five years), Spring Musicals, Swim and Dive Team, and Lifeguard. Emma has traveled with the marching band to The Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Disneyworld in Orlando, Washington, D.C. for the Inaugural Parade and now New York City for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade.
Like many of the student recipients of the Bob Hope Band Scholarship, Emma learned about Bob Hope through research for her essay. As she studied the life of Bob Hope, Emma noted in her essay, that moments that felt so trivial in the past seem all the more valuable as she grows older. Bob Hope’s inspiration made her realize “When we recall the past, we usually find that it is the simplest things-not the great occasions-that in retrospect give off the greatest glow of happiness.” Mr. Hope died at the age of 100 with a plethora of accomplishments and awards to show for the incredible life he lived, along with his impact on music, comedy, community, and much more.” The little moments and glimmers of hope that he gave to so many every day of his life are the ones that truly matter.
Emma says she will use her scholarship money next year to pursue an education and career in Nursing.
“We are so very proud of Emma Martin,” remarked music educator Kevin Pollock, Band and Orchestra Director. Our marching band is honored to have marched in many significant national parades, including the 2017 Inaugural Parade, the 2016 and 2012 Tournament of Roses Parades, and in the 2009, 2003, and 2019 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parades! The Franklin Regional Band includes Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, and Marching Band. The band is part of the Franklin Regional School District located in Murrysville, Pennsylvania and is under the direction of Mr. Kevin Pollock.
Asked how Franklin Regional High School will use its scholarship money, Mr. Pollock said, “Our band boosters present a small award ($500) to one senior marching band member each spring by way of their own essay contest. As a way of “paying forward” the generosity of the Bob and Dolores Hope Foundation, we are increasing that monetary award for the next five to ten years in Bob Hope’s honor, thereby making it far more meaningful to a very deserving student.
About the Bob Hope Band Scholarship
Since 2003, Macy’s and the Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation have proudly presented the Bob Hope Band Scholarship. Through a written essay, each school participating in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade can nominate one participating musician, auxiliary team member or drum major from their marching band program who best reflects the value and attributes that Bob Hope represented to millions of Americans, both at home and overseas. These values and attributes include musical ability, leadership initiative, sense of humor and a strong commitment to community service.
Members of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Selection Committee evaluates the essays and selected the winning recipient. The selected student will receive a $10,000 Scholarship award towards her/his education. In addition, the school band program will also receive $10,000.
