Introducing Anthony Bowman, recipient of the 2007 Jason Choy Memorial Scholarship.

Anthony, who hails from Greenbelt, Maryland, will begin his coursework this fall at James Madison University, where he will major in music education.

In a time when most people confine their thinking to simply getting through their first college semester, Anthony already looks to the future. He can see clearly his own potential and where his education can take him. Following college, he has plans to pursue an advanced degree in music education to the immediate benefit of the high school or middle school music program he hopes to one day direct.

Despite his young age, Anthony is an accomplished percussionist, having performed already at the prestigious Kennedy Center in Washington, DC with the Prince George’s All County Band. When asked about his favorite high school memory, Anthony seemed hard-pressed to select just one, but he speaks fondly of his time in the Eleanor Roosevelt High School band:

Looking forward, Anthony is excited to be starting college this fall. It is yet to be seen how his percussion studies will fare with his floormates in the dormitories of James Madison University, but we’re sure Anthony will make lots of friends and enjoy his college experience nonetheless.

We are also sure that Anthony’s choice of major has a tremendous potential to make a positive change in the world. A career in education is sure to lead to a bright future not just for himself, but also a brighter future for the community where he lives and works. Anthony’s interest in music also reflects one of Jason’s major interests. As a child Jason was an accomplished musician in his own right and played the piano. As an adult, he grew to love a wide variety of music - from classical to rock and electronic to jazz - and his most prized possession was perhaps his collection of CDs. Everyone on the committee can recall the spark that came to him when the topic of music came up in conversation.

All of us on the scholarship committee feel that the second annual Jason Choy Memorial Scholarship could not have gone to a better person. In his application and correspondence with the committee, Anthony has demonstrated a wonderful sense of maturity and intelligence. These are just some of the qualities that represent the true spirit of this award and what it means to those of us who knew Jason. We applaud Anthony for his many achievements and we hope he will keep us informed of the many more that await him in his bright future.