Sarah Betz Scholar Award

When Sarah passed away, my family asked for donations to a scholarship fund instead of the usual flowers and such. There has been quite a response and tonight is the first time the award will be given out. This speech is the speech my parents and Katie (one of Sarah's best friends) will make at band banquet for Pearce Band. Read on if you're interested...
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"I am going to be late...I've got sectionals tonight. Where's my water bottle? Anne and I have to leave now! Mr. Warshaw says we have to be on the grid at 4:00 PM sharp or else. I need $10 for a band shirt. PLEASE let me stay for the band party."

Such were the comments that kept our family on our toes for seven years as our three children participated in the Pearce Band program. When Sarah became a member little did I realize the parents also became part of this unique community. Little did we realize how deep and perpetual those teenage friendships would be...how close the parents would remain until this past December as friends, band directors and principals gathered from all over the country to celebrate Sarah's life. How grateful our family is for the outpouring of support and expressions of love that leads George and myself to be with you tonight.

Sarah Elizabeth Betz was born November 17, 1979 in Dallas. She was a precocius and quiet child, always eager to learn and to do her best at everything. Sarah learned to play the piano early and in the fourth grade began the clarinet...keeping that coveted first chair and its responsbilities for the next eight years... winning numerous awards at city, district and regional competitions. One of her greatest joys was representing Pearce at the All State Band her junior and senior years.

In 1998, Sarah graduated as a National Merit Scholar, fourth in her class and as a member of several organizations. But it was the band that brought some of her fondest and happiest moments, to meet her three close friends and her best friend, Katie, who is here with us tonight.

Sarah's claim to fame with the band, in her mind, was being concertmistress when the Mighty Mustangs played their first concert at Carnegie Hall in 1997. She captured and touched the hearts of many forever as her nimble fingers touched the clarinet keys in "Molly on the Shores" and with the mournful wail heard in "Blue Shades."

In the following years, she graduated from Rice University with an undergraduate in (2002) and master degree (2003) in electrical engineering and worked for Wylie Associates in Houston as an electrical engineer. December 17, 2004 while sleeping her life of 25 years was brought to an abrupt halt from a genetic heart condition. From that moment, our lives have been profoundly changed and saddened.

Sarah will always be remembered for her quiet, gentle nature, her wry sense of humor, as a leader with integrity, and her drive for excellence in music and the academics. It is these qualities which will live through the Sarah Betz Scholar Award. - a one year non-renewable merit scholarship to a sophomore or junior student from the Symphonic I Band based on musicianship potential, academic excellence and citizenship. The student will be selected by the band director in consultation with the principal. The award consists of one academic year of private music lesson,s recognition during the concert season and their name engraved on a perpetual plaque hung in the Band Hall.

George and I are honored this evening to present the first Sarah Betz Scholar Award to a sophomore who plays the horn. Join with us as we celebrate his future accomplishments and congratualate ____________________________________.