Congrats Lauren!!!! (Withnell Scholarship recipient)

May 25, 2010

Scholarships go to 8 music students

Winners' essays focused on movie about band teacher

By Barbara Curtin
Statesman Journal

The late Harold J. Withnell touched thousands of young lives during the 30 years he taught band in Oregon. His influence continues in Salem-Keizer, where his son, Dick Withnell, awards scholarships each year in his father's name.

On Monday, eight talented Salem-Keizer musicians — two singers, a flutist, a violinist, a saxophonist, a violist and two clarinetists — were presented with the $1,000 scholarships. That brought the total to 57 students and $57,000 since Dick Withnell and his wife, Gayle, started the tradition in 1996. The couple also have given about $8,000 in need-based awards for students to take music lessons.

The scholarships went to students such as Daniel Frizzell, a South Salem High senior who chose a new flute over a new car. And to Kelsey Popovich, the Sprague choir president who sat on the committee to help hire a new choir director for her school.

The Withnells didn't simply mail checks to the chosen eight students. They treated them to lunch at Rudy's at Salem Golf Club, along with their parents, principals, music teachers and community leaders.

Dick Withnell remains an unabashed fan of the 1995 movie about a career band teacher, "Mr. Holland's Opus," and his awards include some reference to that film. When the movie first came out, he paid to show the movie to thousands of Salem-Keizer students. This year the scholarship nominees wrote essays reflecting on the movie.

Molly Hartshorn, a South Salem High School junior, said she watched the film for the first time while preparing her essay.

"I'm glad I had the opportunity to see it," she said. "It showed the importance of music education, not only for kids like me who are preparing for a music career, but what it does for the average student."

Over the years, the number of scholarships has varied from three to nine, depending on the economy. This year, not a great one for auto dealers such as the Withnells, the couple nevertheless gave out eight.

"I get a two-fer here," Withnell explained. "I get to honor (district supervisor of music education) Karl Raschkes, and I get to help the kids continue toward their music goals.

"Plus, there is a marvelous return-on-investment here; nine kids have come back to teach in our schools."

bcurtin@statesmanjournal.com or (503) 399-6699

Additional Facts
Harold J. Withnell Music Scholarship Winners
These are the 2010 winners of $1,000 scholarships from Dick and Gayle Withnell, with highlights of their music achievements provided by the scholarship sponsors:

Josh Clark, North Salem High School junior, vocal (tenor), 2010 All-City Choir; son of Lori and Chase Clark.

Lauren Culver, West Salem High School junior, viola, 2010 All-City Orchestra, 2010 Oregon All-State Orchestra; daughter of Kelly and Brent Culver.

Noela Estrada, McKay High School junior, clarinet/baritone saxophone, 2010 All-City Band, drum major for McKay's marching band, All-State bass clarinet; daughter of Laurie and Mark Mincher.


Bradley Frizzell, South Salem High School senior, clarinet, 2010 All-City Band, All-State and All-Northwest Honor Bands; son of Rebecca and Boyd Frizzell.

Daniel Frizzell, South Salem High School senior, flute, 2010 All-City Band, All-State and All-Northwest Honor groups; son of Rebecca and Boyd Frizzell.

Molly Hartshorn, South Salem High School junior, violin, 2010 All-City Orchestra; daughter of Elizabeth Hartshorn.

Carly Laursen, McKay High School senior, saxophone, 2010 All-City Band, drum major for McKay's 2009 season; daughter of Brenda and Craig Spillman and Rick and Kimberly Laursen

Kelsey Popovich, Sprague High School senior, voice (soprano), 2010 All-City Choir; daughter of Sheila Sund-Popovich and Brett Popovich.