04/25/2025
Wednesday marked a major milestone as we proudly presented the first-ever Bentley Duvall Scholarship Fund scholarships to 3 exceptional student leaders heading to HBCUs this fall! These scholarship recipients have demonstrated not just musical talent, but the leadership qualities and academic dedication that make them standouts on and off the field.
The first award is the Beacon scholarship, a scholarship presented in partnership with Quori’s Kids Foundation. The Beacon Scholarship is awarded to students who demonstrate passion for their craft and dedication to serving others. Their hope and positivity shine as a beacon of light that inspires others.
We presented the Beacon Scholarship to Jordin Lenair and Sitanshu Patil, both Drum Majors of the 2024-2025 school year and members of the award winning Khaotic Groove Drumline at Middleton High School. Jordin and Sitanshu plan to take their talents to Florida A&M University this fall and continue their musical journey as members of the Marching 100, recently named as the 2024 ESPN Band of the Year!
Next was the Excellence Scholarship. Students who have distinguished themselves through outstanding leadership, academic achievement, and personal excellence are chosen to receive this scholarship.
Our Excellence Scholarship recipient was Charan Pothula, a Trombone player and Head Drum Major of the 2024-2025 school year. Charan will be attending North Carolina A&T State University (my Alma Mater and The #1 HBCU!! 😁 ) this fall and marching in The Blue and Gold Marching Machine.
None of this would have been possible without our incredible partners. A heartfelt thank you to Mr. Tejeda, Director of the Tiger Marching Machine, and Ms. Maria, President of the Middleton High School Band Boosters for believing in our vision and supporting us in our inaugural year. A special thank you to our amazing Champion Sponsors, Quori and Quori’s Kids Foundation, as well as Logistics & Konsulting Services for investing in these promising students. I would also like to thank Tavis Myrick and Kaotic Streets Church for their thoughtful donations as well. Your generosity has turned aspirations into reality.
We're equally grateful to everyone who shared our message, contributed to the fund, and supported our mission. Your collective action created opportunities that will change lives. 🙌
This is just the beginning. As our inaugural recipients prepare to make their mark on these HBCU campuses, we're already looking ahead to expanding our impact next year. The foundation has been laid for a scholarship program that will continue to break down financial barriers for talented student leaders in marching band programs.
If you missed the opportunity to be part of this year's initiative, stay connected with us. The journey continues, and the band plays on!
