Army, School Celebrate Herndon High Student's Acceptance Into All-American Bowl

Herndon High senior Blake Morgan was all smiles on Tuesday as a special assembly was held in his honor.

Morgan was recently selected to be the drum major of the half-time show for the upcoming U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Jan. 4 in San Antonio, Texas.

Blake is one of only 125 students from across the country selected to be a part of the half-time show—and he was chosen to lead it.

Representatives from the U.S. Army, the National Association for Music Education, Herndon High staff and Blake's mother joined him on stage to celebrate his achievement Tuesday.

Before the assembly, Kathleen Jacoby, director of the Herndon High marching band, The Pride of Herndon, took a moment to tell Patch how proud she is of Blake and his accomplishment.

"Blake impresses me on a daily basis," she said. "While making All-American Drum Major is a huge honor, it’s only a small indicator of his normal operating level.  Blake’s 'normal' means being exceptional in everything he does. I’m thrilled that Blake is being recognized for being his normal, exceptional self."

During the assembly, he was presented with a special commemorative glass from George Mason University's ROTC program, and a hat and jacket from the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

As Blake donned his new hat and jacket, he took the podium for just a moment to thank everyone.

"I want to say thank-you to my parents and my family for all the help they've given me, and also thank-you to all the music educators in my life," Blake said, of his teachers from today all the way back to elementary school.  "It's a great honor, and I'm really glad I could be here."

To his fellow Pride of Herndon bandmates in the audience, he said, "Thank you for all the support you've given me, and thank you for being a part of my band."

Jacoby was also presented with an All-American Bowl hat, and took a moment to address Blake and all her students.

"This is an indicator of all the great things we have going on here [at Herndon High School]," she said. "And it's not just the band—it's the entire music department. We are the envy, with all the great things we have going on."

The 2014 U.S. Army All-American Bowl will take place in San Antonio on Jan. 4 and will be broadcast on TV as well as online.

See photos of Tuesday's assembly as well as a short video of Blake's thank-you speech above.

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