By Sylvia Cavallo

for the Observer-Reporter

newsroom@observer-reporter.com

As two Avella Area High School senior band members approach graduation, their band director hopes they pass on the same academic and leadership skills that they have exhibited throughout their high school careers.

Christopher Stokum, a trumpet player, and Bethanie Kern, tenor saxophonist for the marching band, are students who band director Richard Beatty says are outstanding young people who always give 100 percent effort.

Stokum, who is playing the lead role in the high school play, "Fools," by Neil Simon this spring, qualified to attend the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association's District I Band festival at Trinity High School in January, but the teen's hectic schedule prevented him from being able to attend. He is vice president of the school's National Honor Society, a member of the Academic, Debate and Model UN teams, and works as a critical care and emergency room volunteer at Washington Hospital.

Stokum took private trumpet lessons until a few years ago, and he still dedicates some of his free time to practicing, but he said one of the real rewards of being a band member is having the opportunity to mentor younger students.

"Being part of the band gives you a chance to really get to know people," Stokum said. "It is such as small district, so you also have a chance to get to know students who are a wide variety of ages, even the seventh- and eighth-graders are fun to get to know."

Stokum plans to attend the University of Pittsburgh and major in chemistry and English writing. He is a son of Sandee and Gary Sotokum of Burgettstown.

Kern keeps up such a busy schedule that she doesn't even have time to participate in the school's concert band. She enjoyed dedicating her time to the marching band as a section leader in the fall.

The 17-year-old plays volleyball for the high school team and has been pitching for the girls softball team for a little more than two years.

"I practice pitching every day for a couple of hours and I love softball, but band was the first thing I got into in high school and I love that, too," Kern said. "I love music and I could never give it up. I like that I can do it all, be part of a lot of activities, and be accomplished at all of them."

Kern plans to attend a four-year college to major in graphic design and art education.

"If I could play the tenor sax in a small ensemble, I would do that, too," she said.

She is a daughter of Jody and Charles Kern of Avella. She is a member of the National Honor Society and also enjoys helping with the community's volunteer fire department.

"I like helping people," said Kern, also assists with softball clinics in the area. "The things I'll miss most about band are band camp and the music festivals when we got together with bands from other schools like Trinity, Peters Township and Chartiers Valley, and we all listened to each play and gave each other standing ovations."

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