Marching in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is an amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience. And for one lucky band member the trip down Broadway was even more memorable. Macy’s and the Bob & Dolores Hope Charitable Foundation annually award the Bob Hope Band Scholarship Award. This scholarship initiative is designed to honor one outstanding band member and school band program participating in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade each year.

The Bob Hope Band Scholarship Award was presented to a student from one of the participating high school and college bands in the 2012 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Through a written essay, each school will nominate one participating musician, auxiliary team member or drum major from their marching band program who best reflects the values and attributes that Bob Hope represented to millions of Americans, both at home and overseas. These values and attributes include musical ability, leadership initiative, sense of humor and a strong commitment to community service.

Members of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Band Selection Committee will evaluate the essays and select the winning recipient. The selected student will receive a $5,000 Scholarship Award toward his/her education. In addition, the school band program will also receive $5,000.

Wesley Whatley, Creative Director of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade says, “Macy’s is honored to continue our longstanding relationship with Bob Hope and his family with the creation of this special scholarship.” He adds, “The Macy’s Band program is all about excellence and this scholarship reinforces that idea.”
According to Bob Hope’s daughter, Linda Hope, “The family is so pleased to present this scholarship in my father’s name. He started out as a song and dance man and music was always a major part of his life. And, oh, how he loved a parade!”

This years winner was our own Alex Heise!

Quote from Alex’s essay:

Bob Hope has made himself a model for both future generations and me because of his musical ability, leadership, sense of humor, and commitment to helping others. Bob Hope is the epitome of the true humanitarian. He spoke to the human side of each of us and if we truly stopped and listened, we were better for it. He is the kind of man that I strive to be, a man that gives to others selflessly with the simple yet profound tools of funny words and music. With everything that I have learned about this great man and all that he has instilled in others, I’m not all surprised that his last name is Hope.