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INDIANAPOLIS - Mike Cotton, a Warsaw Community High School senior and three-year member of the percussion ensemble, was one of five recipients of scholarship awards Saturday.
The Indiana Percussion Association announced the winners at the state championships at Decatur Central High School, Indianapolis. Cotton's scholarship amounted to $750, with three other students receiving scholarships of $300 and one student receiving $1,000.
To receive the scholarship, recipients first have to apply. Cotton's director, WCHS teacher Mickey Ratliff, then had to nominate him. All the applications are narrowed down to five. Those five were then interviewed and the amount each received was based on the interviews. Each applicant had to write an essay on how being in percussion has helped them.
Ratliff said each director from each participating school can nominate two students from their group. Along with the interview and essay, the nominees have to have strong academics and be active in the band. He said Cotton was "an obvious choice" as he is active in the ensemble and ranks in the top of his graduating class.
This year, Ratliff said, the committee had more money to give in scholarships than in years past.
Ron Cotton, Mike's father, said, "Each year, (Mike) has gotten better and better - just looking at the determination in his face."
Mike is a definite competitor, Ron said, and if he wasn't in the ensemble, he said Mike really would be disappointed.
"He looks forward to winter percussion each year," he said. Ron said Mike talks about the ensemble a lot and loves it as it is a close-knit group.
