2024 RBYAA Winners

A senior at Wilson High School. Meghan began playing the piano at age five, and started mallet percussion in fourth grade. 

Meghan has been singing in various choirs since she was young, from church choir to Berks Youth Chorus and now her high school ensembles. 

Meghan is extremely involved in many music ensembles both in and out of school, participating in marching band (where she is the front ensemble section leader), indoor drumline, concert band, wind ensemble, concert choir (where she is Vice President and Secretary), select choir, treble choir, full orchestra, Reading Symphony Youth Orchestra, and the West Chester University High School Honors Percussion Ensemble. 

Meghan has been auditioning for PMEA and MEBC ensembles since seventh grade, and has made county, district, and region band and choir for multiple years, county and district orchestra the past two years, and region orchestra this year. 

This year, she is working with her elementary school music teacher, Mrs. Mary Bishop, for the year through the Student Instructional Aid program at Wilson. 

After graduation, Meghan is going to attend West Chester University majoring in Music Education with a percussion concentration. She wishes to become a music educator, teaching elementary general music, and continuing to perform in community music ensembles.

A senior at Antietam High School, Ellen is so honored to be awarded this scholarship! 

Ellen has thoroughly enjoyed performing with the Ringgold Band as a substitute vocalist for the past year or so, and is so grateful for all the experience she has received. 

Ellen has been an active performer with community theater groups and has successfully auditioned for PMEA festivals. 

Ellen plans to study Musical Theater in college, and hopes to eventually start a career in New York City. 

She thanks the Ringgold Band for offering her so many great opportunities, and again thanks them for awarding her this scholarship!

The daughter of Kris and Sarah Nygard, Elena is a senior at Kutztown Area High School. She has performed in multiple county, district, regional, and state PMEA ensembles on trumpet. 

In school, she participates in concert band, jazz band, concert chorus, National Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society, academic challenge, SMART Mentor Program, field hockey, and track and field. Outside of school, Elena plays keyboard for her church’s youth band, is a volunteer for kids’ worship, and enjoys hanging out with her friends and family.

In the future, she plans to attend college to major in science. 

A highly accomplished senior at Twin Valley High School, Patrick is a dedicated student. He is very involved in the music program, participating in Concert Band, Marching Band (as the drum major), Jazz Band, Symphony Orchestra, Chorus, and Select Chorus. 

Additionally, he has participated in several prestigious PMEA (Pennsylvania Music Educators Association) ensembles, advancing to the County, District, and Regional levels both as a pianist and a vocalist, and to the All-State level on trumpet. 

Music has always been Patrick’s passion, and he is anticipating a career in the same, intending to major in music education next year. 

Whether it be playing piano, trumpet, accordion, singing, conducting, or composing, he constantly finds solace in music. 

Patrick also participates in several school clubs including the National Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society (as the Vice President), and Theatre Arts Club (as the President). 

Outside of school, Patrick spends his time singing in the choir at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Shillington, PA. 

Patrick would like to thank the Ringgold Band for this opportunity, and his teachers, friends, and family for always supporting his endeavors.