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The Dale Pullen Scholarship Fund was established at the urging of family and friends wanting to create a lasting tribute that would allow Dale's love of music to continue through the lives of other talented students. Each year, the faculty of the Leon High School Choral Department selects the recipient of the Dale Pullen Memorial "Star" Award. The "Star" Award is presented to the senior choral student who shares Dale's passion for music, has been judged an outstanding talent and has demonstrated a willingness to serve others. The financial contributions from prior tournaments have provided sufficient funds for the "Star" Award scholarship fund to be self-sustaining. The nonprofit Community Foundation of North Florida administers this scholarship fund. Contributions to this year's tournament will provide additional scholarship funds for other high school choral students through the nonprofit Leon Friends of Music, Inc. Proceeds from the tournament will be used to sponsor and provide financial aid to the choral program for needs such as uniform rentals, voice lessons, music competitions, camps and clinics. Tax deductible contributions for the Dale Pullen Scholarship Fund should be made payable to the Leon Friends of Music and can be mailed to: Leon Friends of Music 2008 Scholarship Recipients
Pullen Scholarship Recipients 2007 Scholarship Recipients
2006 Award RecipientsThe Dale Pullen Scholarship Fund would like to congratulate the winners of this year's scholarship fund endowments.
Star Award Recipient Tim Peck, the 2006 Star Award Recipient, is the President of Capital Singers and a 3-time section leader for Leon High School's Mane Event. Tim's credits also include participation in Leon High Schools vocal group, The Madrigals and the Leon Men Choral group. He is also musically active in his church in which he has played guitar and provided vocals through his youth group and Sunday morning service. Tim's passion for music stems from an early age as he says, "I've known since I was five that I was going to play music for the rest of my life." From Tim's submission essay, he writes, "I didn't choose to pursue music through piano, voice and guitar in school, music chose me." 
Pullen Scholarship Recipients
In addition to the Star Award, the Dale Pullen Scholarship Fund also awarded three recipients $500 scholarships to be used in the collegiate pursuits this year. Lauren Leland is an active participant is several of Leon High School's music programs including, the Melodears in which she serves as Student Director, and is also a member of Capital Singers. She is active in musical theatre as well as she is the Treasurer of the Student Board for Young Actors Theatre. Lauren describes the influence of music on her life by stating, "As long as music is a part of my life, I don't think I can go wrong." Kaylin Seckel also participates in various musical theatre productions including work at Quincy Music Theatre and Center Stage. A Leon County High School Senior, Kaylin participates in the Leon's choral groups The Mane Event, the Madrigals and Capital Singers. Kaylin is the alto section leader for both Mane Event and Madrigals. She hopes to pass on her passion for music as she says, " In years to come, I hope to be a successful performer and teacher to all who share in my love for music." Audrey Schueren is also a senior at Leon High School and is an active member of its Capital Singers program in which she serves as Secretary. She is also first soprano section leader for the LHS Melodears and participated in FSU's Music Camp. In her own words, "My music education experiences throughout my 12 years of public school have given me a sense of community, heightened my self confidence, brought a feeling of achievement, and even given me some ideas of what to consider for my future career." 2005 Star Award Recipient
She has participated in the Spring Showcase for the past three years, she attended both District and State ensemble festivals, she has attended music workshops, is very active in her church music ministry, and like Dale, plays the guitar. She will be enrolling in FSU this fall to study elementary education. This is an excerpt from the essay she wrote as part of the selection process and I think says a lot about this individual and the award. "I have grown to understand how music is universal, and it is something that everyone can afford and experience together. Music has influenced me to work harder and to never give up. Music has shown me that if I believe in myself, I can change the world one song at a time." The Dale Pullen Memorial Scholarship Star Award winner for 2005 is Miss Jenna Dugger. 2004 Star Award Recipient
Her essay captures the essence of this award when she writes, "The standard of excellence set by my predecessors and continued by my peers and myself is the basis of my musical passion, as well as, my growth as a person. I cannot image my life without music and its influences, from Leon or otherwise, and through performing, I hope I can give back to others the joy that I have felt in my work to perfect my musical skills." 2003 Star Award Recipient
Maegan Phillips has been very active in choral activities at Leon High School and in the Community during her high school years. She has participated in several chorus classes and ensembles such as Opus, Capital Singers Madrigals, Bel Canto and the Mane Event to name a few. Maegan will attend Florida State University this fall and plans to major in music therapy. In addition to her participation in the choral groups at Leon, Maegan volunteered with drama productions and at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital as well as being a member of the Exchangettes. In Maegan's own words "Learning to respect other people in the department as both musicians and friends has been an amazing and vital experience …. I know that I could never be without music in my life." Maegan is the daughter of Gary and Cara Phillips. Congratulations to the Class of 2003 Dale Pullen Memorial Star Award scholarship recipient, Maegan Phillips! 2002 Star Award Recipient
Mary Kelsay has been described as the complete "all around" Leon High choral student. She has excelled academically,
vocally and has served in numerous leadership capacities. Mary will attend Florida State University on a music
scholarship this fall and plans to major in music composition and theory. In addition to her participation in
the advanced choral groups at Leon, she has arranged pieces for the Perfect Fourth, an all girl quartet, as
well as composing and arranging for choir groups. Mary is the daughter of John and Rita Kelsay, and twin sister
of Elizabeth who also has outstanding musical talent. Congratulations to the Class of 2002 Dale Pullen Memorial
Star Award scholarship receipient, Mary Kelsay!
2001 Star Award Recipients
Jillian Barber was a four-year choral student at Leon High School and was a member of Capital Singers and Madrigals. She also was a two-year member of the Leon steel drum band. In addition to participating in church and community musical activities she was also a cast member in summer productions of Sound of Music, Wizard of Oz, Carousel, and South Pacific. Jillian also participated in district and state solo competitions. In addition to her musical talents, Jillian was a member of the Pierian Honor Society, SADD Vice President, and Student Government member. Jillian's future plans include attending Brigham Young University with a possible major as nurse midwife with a minor in religion, music, or theatre. Justin Maynard was a four-year choral student at Leon High School and was a member of Capital Singers and Madrigals. In addition to participating in church and community chorus groups, he has been a cast member in summer productions since he was in the fourth grade. These productions include Music Man, Brigadoon, Hello Dolly, Oklahoma, Sound of Music, Wizard of Oz, Carousel, and South Pacific. Justin has competed in district and state choral competitions and was a member of the 4 stars quartet with his friend and classmate, Dale Pullen. Future plans include attending Valencia Community College and an audition for Epcot's premier a cappella singing group at the Hall of Americas at Walt Disney World. 2000 Star Award Recipient
Laura Raynor was a 4 year chorus member and participated in the Concert Chorale, Opus, Capital Singers, and Melodears. She earned allstate choral honors from 8th thru 12th grades and participated in three summer musicals at Tallahassee Community College (Sound of Music, Wizard of Oz, & Carousel). She performed vocal solos in 10th, 11th, & 12th grades. She has been involved in many church & community volunteer activities. Her future plans include attending Florida Southern College to study sacred music and wants a career in music ministry. |
Star Award Recipient
Back Row: PJ Wilford, FSU Music, Sigrun Ahlquist, UF, Jon Mathes, FSU Music, Robert Draper, UCF, Dr. Judy Arthur, Mrs. Tabitha Peck
Star Award Recipient
Pullen Scholarship Recipients
This year's recipient has been a member of Opus, Madrigals, Capital Singers, and the Mane Event.
This year's winner, Caitlin Nelson, is a four year choral student who participated as a member of Opus, Capital Singers and Melodears.
She participated in numerous spring showcase events; received superior ratings at District competition and participated in all
state competition as both a Junior and Senior.