Schools
L-W Central Piccolo Player Selected for U.S. Army American Bowl
Frankie Kestel, 17, of Manhattan, was selected to perform in the marching band during halftime at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in January in Texas.
Frankie Kestel, a 17-year-old senior from Manhattan and member of the Lincoln-Way Central Marching Knights, was selected to join the 125 members of the elite high school marching band for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
A ceremony to honor the piccolo/flute player was held Sept. 25 at Lincoln-Way Central High School. She is one of only 125 marching band students from around the country to perform in the halftime show for the annual East vs. West football game of all-star high school football players.
The All-American Bowl is Jan. 4 at the Alamadome in San Antonio, Texas. Selected students are chosen for their "exceptional musicianship, marching achievement, character and leadership," said Dan Romanowski, spokesperson for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
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"The U.s. Army All-American Bowl is a unique celebration of American youth and the American soldier. Not just anyone can be a soldier. Not just anyone can be a U.s. Army all-American. To become either takes mental, emotional and physical strengths that few posses, and even fewer employ. It is these strengths along with dedication, determination and team work that allow them to succeed and excel in school, in training and in life," he said.
Kestel said, "It's definitely a high honor being the only one from Central to do this. I tried out last year as a junior, and Mr. (Eric) Wellman (Lincoln-Way Central Band Director) sent a recommendation."
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Both Wellman and L-W Central Principal Steve Provis talked about Kestel's history of hard work and dedication. "She's just exceptionally talented, paired with a being a hard worker," said Wellman.
Kestel, who has a featured flute solo in this year's 2013 L-W Central Marching Knights field show, was selected last year to perform with the Band of America Tournament of Roses parade in Pasadena.
While her musical talent has taken her to noteworthy positions in life, she plans in college next year to major in agribusiness and animal science.
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