Rutledge, Heflin named to All State Band
    By Johanna Gray, Staff Writer ~~ The Monahans News, February 11, 2005

Whitney Rutledge, a sophomore at Monahans  High School, and Renee Heslin, a senior and a private student of Martha Davis of Midland, were chosen for this honor in competitive auditions held at region and area levels across the state this year.

Both students are members of the Monahans High School Big Green Band.  Heslin plays the flute and Rutledge plays the alto saxophone.

"This is the highest honor you can receive in high school band, defiantly," head Band Director Jeff Whitaker said.

The results for students that qualified for the All State band were posted at the area tryouts.  during the interview, the girls were asked how they felt when they realized they qualified.  

"I didn't know I had read it.  I lost my ability to read for a moment," Rutledge said.

"I couldn't believe it.  I was like, Whitney, is this my name?" Heslin said.

According to the girls, only two saxophone players make the All State Band form each Area audition.

"We practically live at this band hall.  I am very nervous about going to play," Rutledge said.

"I am here every day.  Hopefully I will do pretty good.  I have been practicing a lot," said Heslin.

A press release from the Association of Texas Small School Bands (ATSSB) said more then 8,500 high school band students from across Texas auditioned in 20 different regions for a place in their respective all region bands.

From Monahans High school 12 students qualified for region with 10 going on to area.

Monahans Jr. High had 24 students qualify for region.  Region is the highest honor obtainable for junior high students.

The top chairs in each region advanced to one of the five area auditions held in early January across the state and only 240 of these 1,300 student were selected for all-state honors.

"They deserve it, they definitely worked hard.  It shows what great kids we have in Monahans, the kind of talent we have," Whitaker said.

The ATSSB All-State Bands will meet in rehearsals in the historic Scottish Rite Auditorium in downtown San Antonio from Feb. 9 to Feb. 12 and will present a concert beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 12, at the auditorium.