Mr., Miss Golden Pride to be named at tonight’s football game

By Lisa Magers/CISD Community Services

Mr. and Miss Golden Pride for 2009 will be announced during halftime of tonight’s Jackets home game, following the presentation of nominees.

Candidates for Miss Golden Pride are Heather Gillaspie, Elma Hernandez, Lexy Hitchcock, Victoria Lee and Sarah Rosser. Nominees for Mr. Golden Pride are Destin Chapman, Ike Gossett, Bradley Jones, Ethan Jones and Brandon Sinde.

A longtime Golden Pride tradition, candidates are nominated by fellow band members who cast their votes for the male and female who have best represented the band as a leader and teammate.

Band Director Jason Jones, a graduate of Cleburne High School, is a past Mr. Golden Pride honoree.

Miss Golden Pride nominee Heather Gillaspie is a member of the flute section. She is also a member of FFA and is vice president of Friendship 4-H and reporter for the Junior International Boer Goat Association. After graduation she plans to enroll in college to prepare for a career as a radiology technician. Her parents are Travis and Debbie Gillaspie.

Elma Hernandez serves as drum major for the Pride and has received the band’s leadership award for the past three years. She was a member of the 2008 all-region band’s clarinet section and is a two-time participant in UIL solo and ensemble competition in which she received first division ratings.

Hernandez was also a member of the Lady Jackets JV softball team and is active in Exchangettes. The daughter of Zenaido and Hilaria Hernandez, she plans to attend the University of Texas at Arlington or UT Austin to major in music education or pediatric nursing.

Lexy Hitchcock is the band’s head drum major and has received numerous honors during her four years with the Golden Pride, including outstanding sophomore, top band student, outstanding woodwind and the Patrick S. Gilmore Band Award, and has been a leadership award recipient the past three years. She is a member of the 2008 all-region band and has competed in the UIL state solo and ensemble contest since her freshmen year.

Her activities at CHS also include National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, Beta Club, Teen Library Board, Exchangettes and the Teen Court program. Hitchcock plays flute with the Brazos Chamber Orchestra and is active in the youth group and praise band at First United Methodist Church. She plans to attend UT Austin or Baylor University to major in music. Her escorts at tonight’s ceremonies will be her mother, Alison Hitchcock and grandfather, George Philp.

Victoria Lee is a senior member of the drumline’s snare section. She is a bandsman of the week and leadership award honoree and has participated in the UIL state solo and ensemble contest.

She is a member of the Spanish Club; Texas Association of Future Educators, in which she serves as chapter secretary; and student council, and participates in the Ready, Set, Teach program. She is a 10 year member of Camp Fire USA and has volunteered for several local projects including Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties and Whistlestop Christmas. She is the daughter of Dick and Donna Lee.

Sarah Rosser is co-leader of the trumpet section of the Golden Pride and has been a member of the wind ensemble the past three years. She is a 2009 bandsman of the week honoree and has participated in UIL solo and ensemble competition.

Rosser is also a member of Beta Club and Exchangettes, has competed on the Lady Jackets JV and varsity volleyball teams and is a four-year member of the Lady Jackets golf team. She plans to attend Texas Christian University to major in English and is interested in a career in sports journalism. She is the daughter of Lance and De’Anna Rosser.

Mr. Golden Pride candidate Destin Chapman is trombone section leader and is a region and state uil solo and ensemble medalist. He is a recipient of the Golden Pride Junior Leadership Award and was a member of the all-region band his freshman year.

He is a member of DECA and attends The Family Church of Cleburne. After graduation he plans to enroll in Hill College and transfer to a four-year university to complete his degree in education with a specialty in history. He will be escorted by his mother, Cynthia Chapman.

Ike Gossett is a trombone section leader and a four-year member of the Golden Pride. He is a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and played on the Jackets tennis team. He is a member of the Boy Scouts and the youth praise band at First United Methodist Church and volunteers annually with the Dillon International Korean Heritage Camp.

Gossett plans to enroll in college after graduation to study computer gaming. He will be escorted by his sister, Zoe Gossett.

Bradley Jones is the tenor captain on the Golden Pride drumline. He volunteers for Operation Blessing and has served as a People to People Student Ambassador to Japan. He is a member of First United Methodist Church.

He plans to attend Texas Christian University to major in computer sciences and archaeology. He is the son of Heath Jones and the grandson of Brad and June Bates.

Ethan Jones is the baritone section leader in the Golden Pride. He is a member of the CHS Beta Club and plans to attend Texas A & M University. He is the son of Steven and Rena Jones.

Brandon Sinde is the trumpet section co-leader and competes on the CHS golf team. He plans to attend college and major in music. He will be escorted by his mother, Paula Sinde.

Pre-game ceremonies are also scheduled tonight to recognize all senior members of the Golden Pride, Jacket Dancers, Jacket Cheerleaders and the football team.

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