The Rev. Liz Montes son, Joel Montes, has been selected to attend the Macy's Day parade. The article that follows is from the Lexington paper

Lexington drummer earns spot in Macy's parade band
BY DAVID PENNER
THE LEXINGTON CLIPPER-HERALD
LEXINGTON, Neb. - Joel Montes of Lexington will be spending Thanksgiving Day in New York City marching in the 82nd Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

"Tiki," as his friends and family call him, will march with the Macy's Great American Marching Band as it ushers Santa Claus into Herald Square.

Montes' journey to the renowned New York parade has been a long one that started last school year when he saw a flier advertising the chance to be a part of the band.

"I worked so hard over the summer," he said. "I spent about three hours a day just practicing. I lived and breathed the pieces."

The pieces he learned were a series of drum rudiments, or rhythms, on tenor drum and snare drum called "Junkie Skunk" on tenor and "Hurricane" on snare.

Montes said he is not sure what to expect when he falls into formation with the rest of his band mates, he's just excited to be able to play with talented musicians.

"It's pretty cool, and it's a good experience," he said. "I really don't know what it's going to be like, I just hope they are better than me so I can learn."

Montes is the only Nebraskan who will be playing with the band this year, said Chad Scharff, his music teacher.

"This is the biggest accomplishment of any student in Lexington," Scharff said. "It's awesome to be recognized nationally at this level."

The 17-year-old Lexington High School senior has been playing drums since sixth grade. His mother, Elizabeth, said he was always getting into trouble with teachers because he would be banging pencils, pens and even his fingers to make a beat.

Montes said he has always loved the drums and that he never missed a parade when he was growing up in Texas.

"I just loved watching the people play them," he said. "Now, I never stop practicing."

Montes and Scharff had to make a video and send it to judges who selected the students from a national pool.

Students were selected based on their musical ability and past achievements.

"This really says a lot about our program and the kinds of students we have," Scharff said. "The younger students look up to Joel and have raised up their level of play. Success really does breed success."

After he finishes high school, Montes says he plans on attending the University of Nebraska at Kearney for his general education courses. He then plans to attend the University of Arizona and join the drum line there.

Montes still has to raise money to go on the parade trip.

Scharff said anyone who wants to help Montes should call him at Lexington High School, 308-324-4691. The package includes meals, boarding and the uniform he will wear as part of the drum line.

"It's just over $2,000," Montes said. "I've been trying to raise money since I found out about it."