Congratulations to the first members of the Center Grove Band Hall of Fame!!
2021 Honorees:
Thomas Dirks
Thomas Dirks made a decision to take a chance on a small school in 1975. Tom, along with his wife Connie, set forth to invigorate a program that was little known and in need of an injection of excitement. From 1975 to 2001, Tom was at the helm of the Center Grove Band Department. Year after year, he built a coalition of people that slowly took a small school surrounded by corn fields into a perennial juggernaut that redefined marching band and raised the bar of excellence.
Connie Dirks
In 1975, a very special person made a move from Columbus, IN to Greenwood to help her husband build a program. Connie spent countless hours helping to build the program at Center Grove. She was instrumental in creating the family atmosphere. Her vision created the Center Grove Color Guard and laid the groundwork for the program today. Connie, with her husband Tom, built a competitive color guard program at Center Grove. She is a founder of the Indiana High School Color Guard Association and helped create the high school division in Winter Guard International.
Arthella Manning
Arthella Manning served as the band secretary for over 3 decades. From sunrise to sunset, Arthella could be found in the office, at a rehearsal, or at a competition; shepherding countless students, parents, and staff members.
Steve Manning
Steve Manning was the creative, visual force behind the Center Grove Marching Band and Color Guard. For over 30 years, Steve was instrumental in the design of shirts, flags, uniforms, and props for his alma mater, Center Grove.
Robin Shaw
Robin’s hard work and dedication helped to create Center Grove’s reputation of excellence, entertainment, and excitement. Robin was amongst the first staff to build a competitive color guard program at Center Grove. He was part of the coalition that created winter guard. He was a founding member of the Center Grove Trojan Guard, now Center Grove Color Guard, in 1981
Watch the 2021 Hall of Fame Virtual Ceremony below:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o6FmVOYfwIF27OizqdfA5d3iuaaywCtW/view?usp=sharing_eil_m&ts=615b1a4a