Andrew Kirk
ATHENS – ‘Band kids give back,’ is a lesson that East Limestone High School Band students are taught from day one by Jennifer by Jennifer ‘Ms. Sam’ Janzen, Band Director at East Limestone High School (ELHS). Andrew Kirk, Financial Representative for Modern Woodmen of America and former ELHS drummer and instructor, is bringing this lesson full-circle by sponsoring the ELHS Band’s, Limestone Music Festival, planned for April 14, beginning at 7 p.m., at the Limestone County Event Center in Athens, Alabama.
Jennifer ‘Ms. Sam’ Janzen
Modern Woodmen of America is a fraternal financial organization with a history of giving both financially and through volunteerism in the community. “Modern Woodmen is actively involved in Limestone County,” said Kirk, “I know, having grown up here, that the band is the heartbeat of the East community. When I learned about the Limestone Music Festival, and the musicians coming together to help raise money for the band, I knew it was something we [Modern Woodmen of America] could support in a big way,” said Kirk.
Modern Woodmen of America is stepping in to match profits for the first 250 tickets sold for the event. Tickets are $10 and go on sale March 1. Tickets will be available from any ELHS band student, The Village Pizza located on East Limestone Road, and from Chick Fil-A of Athens.
“Kirk is one of mine,” said Janzen. “I get attached and when I see kids like Kirk grow up, get married, and be successful it makes my heart full.” Janzen, who recently celebrated her twentieth anniversary at ELHS, teaches 287 students in grades 6-12.
Students in the ELHS Band program learn three words along with their music: ability, motivation and attitude. “I try to teach the kids to take ownership of their goals, to give back, to get involved and to work hard,” said Janzen. “I am so grateful to Kirk and Modern Woodmen of America, and to Chick Fil-A of Athens. When companies like these support the band, and believe in what we do, it makes a real difference.”
Performers at the festival include: Erik Smallwood, Hayden Scott, Brent Morgan, Free Range, Wild Parsley, Jay Rinkel, Elizabeth McCrary, and Lillian Glanton. Proceeds go to benefit the ELHS Band program and County for A Cure, an American Cancer Society Relay for Life program.
Find Limestone Music Festival updates and performer profiles on the Facebook page, Limestone Music Festival; on Twitter, @LCALMusicFest; or on Instagram, @LimestoneMusicFestival. Contact Andrew Kirk with Modern Woodmen of America at, www.reps.modernwoodmen.org/kirk.
Media Release/Limestone Music Festival/Blake Williams
