Polk County Public Schools
Roanna Combs, band teacher at Davenport’s Ridge Community High was 2008 recipient of the Oliver Hobbs Award from the Florida Bandmasters Association (FBA). The Hobbs award recognizes a Florida band teacher/director for exceptional teaching and instruction over an extended period of time. Roanna works with Ridge Community High band director Phillip Wharton and Ridge Community’s bands have consistently received superior ratings in the Florida School Music Association performance assessments. She was also honored for assisting other schools with their band programs and participating in FBA events. Roanna also leads Ridge Community’s vocal and piano instruction programs at Ridge Community High.
The following are results of the 2007-2008 Florida Orchestra Association music performance assessments for Polk County high schools and middle schools. Orchestra directors are listed in parentheses.
Superior: Davenport School Of The Arts (Kendra Menzie), Harrison School For The Arts-Lakeland (Matthew Davis), Lake Gibson Middle-Lakeland (Michael Sedloff), Lawton Chiles Middle Academy-Lakeland (Christina Baker), McLaughlin Middle-Lake Wales (Gian Carlo Monacelli), Stambaugh Middle-Auburndale (Steven Glick), Rochelle School Of The Arts-Lakeland (Sarah Morrison).
Excellent: Auburndale High (Steven Glick), combined orchestra of Crystal Lake Middle-Lakeland and Westwood Middle-Winter Haven (Al McKenzie), Denison Middle-Winter Haven (Michael Lawson), Discovery Academy-Lake Alfred (Kim Ingram), George Jenkins High-Lakeland (Melodie Hoffman), Jewett Middle Academy-Winter Haven (Joshua Dampier), Lake Gibson High-Lakeland (Michael Sedloff), Lakeland Highlands Middle-Lakeland (Melodie Hoffman), Winter Haven High (Michael Lawson).
Good: Southwest Middle-Lakeland (Melodie Hoffman).