The following awards are presented each May by the Bluffton High School Music Department. The  2020-21 awards winners are included in this all-time list. This year’s winners are also listed in a separate story by clicking here.

John Phillip Sousa Award
Given to the outstanding instrumental student
1967      Connie Anderson
1968      James Heiks
1969      Lee Ann Bender
1970      Theresa Reichenbach
1971      Michael Sherman
1972      Susan Wheeler
1973      Jeremy Szabo
1974      Steven Trost
1975      Ronald Williams
1976      Stanley Trost
1977      Diane Zimmerly
1978      Lori Badertscher
1979      Thomas Boehr
1980      Bobbie Hey
1981      Mark Yoder
1982      Pam Ernsberger
1983      Scott Born
1984      Brad Schaffer
1985      Lynne Stechschulte
1986      Brigitte Herr
1987      Cristina Herr
1988      Lisa Weaver
1989      Kristin Aasmundstad
1990      James P. Suter
1991      Jonathan Herr
1992      Jon Geisheimer
1993      Jennifer Stemen
1994      James Clemens
1995      Sarah Holt
1996      Jesse Henry
1997      Karen McCullough
1998      John Travis
1999      Emily Suter and Meghan Smith
2000      Nathan Gundy and Molly Bixel
2001      Jacob Boehr
2002      Kelsey Dyck
2003      Jessica Wagner
2004      Krysten Groman
2005      Jenna Buller
2006      Alex Raabe
2007      Micah Sommer
2007      Jeff Yoder
2008      Jordan Cluts
2009      Tyler Domer
2010      Joshua Woodruff
2012      Jane Sycks
2013      Nicholas Slinger
2014      Julian Harnish
2015      Emma Woodruff
2017      Megan Sycks
2018      Sarah Gillen
2019      Hannah Yost
2020      Sophia Gott  
2021      Elizabeth Wright 

Eloise Caskey Memorial Award
Given to a student who has potential for a career in music
1992      Dan Basinger
1993      Jennifer Stemen
1994      Sara Basinger
1995      Christian Downey
1996      Brian Barry
1997      Karen McCullough
1998      Angie Queen
1999      Gabe Dagani
2000      Rebecca Gratz
2001      Sarah Morris
2002      Matt Steinmetz
2003      Becky Houston
2004      Tyler Badertscher
2005      Justin Atkins
2006      Eric Blevens
2007      Gwen Smith
2009      Amanda Rhonemus and Tyler Domer
2010      Kayne Edwards
2012      Jane Sycks
2014      Lauren Yost
2015-2018  none given
2019      Amanda Speicher
2020      Sophia Gott and Ana Neufeld Weaver
2021      No award given

Louis Armstrong Award
Given to an outstanding student in Jazz Band
2014      Landon Cluts
2015      Jack Henry Neff
2017      Tad Steiner
2018      Oliver Romick
2019      Hannah Yost and Jesse Montel
2020      Nathaniel Spencer
2021      Benjamin Eiden

Mullenhour Award
Given to a student or adult who gives a great deal of time to the music department
1982      Cindy Brewster
1983      Matt DeVoe
1984      Brad Shafer
1985      Julie Shelly
1986      Mrs. Jo Ann Bender
1987      Mr. and Mrs. Russell Koontz
1988      Mike Bennett
1989      Ben Chappell
1990      Ruth Hefner
1991      Mark Bourassa
1992      Larry Kinn and Linda McCoy
1993      Jared Lehman
1994      Bob and Karlyn Holt
1995      The Goode Family
1996      Catherine Kingsley
1997      Amanda Goings
1998      Katie Rodabaugh
1999      Elaine Drake
2000      Amanda Corbitt and Sarah Niese
2001      Chad Queen
2002      Gera Bixel
2003      Kay Miller
2004      Tyler Badertscher and Mary Miller
2005      Jodi Diller
2006      Alex Raabe
2007      Gwen Smith
2008      Jerrod Amstutz and Amanda Rhonemus
2009      Jerrod Amstutz
2011      Danielle Rhonemus
2013      Mr. Hoff
2014      Samantha Rhonemus
2017      Jaret Geiser
2018      none given
2019      Jordan Siefer
2020      None given
2021      None given

Marching Band Award
Given to student outstanding in Marching Band
1990      Stephanie Babcock and Rachel Hefner
1991      Jill Carpenter
1992      Dan Basinger
1993      Jon Kinn and Trent Unterbrink
1994      Melissa Pearch
1995      April Knust
1996      Gabe Benroth
1997      Leah Steinmentz
1998      Tiffany Neuenschwander
1999      Sam Houshower
2000      Elizabeth Beer
2001      Ben Harmon
2002      Onalee Lehman and Adam Hauenstein
2003      David Beer and Jared Gleason
2004      Jeremy Mummert
2005      Becky Winebar
2006      Michael Schwager
2007      Samantha Amstutz
2008      Aaron Tendam
2009      Amanda Rhonemus and Dylan Terry
2010      Alex Anderson and Jessica Liska
2011      Rebekah Sneary
2012      Kristi Geiser and Lindsey Sneary
2013      Amanda Diller
2014      Sara Chappell-Dick
2015      Jake Campbell and Mariah Fleming
2017      Jayme Siefer and Jaret Geiser
2018      Leah Tabler and Annabell Campbell
2019      Noah Adams and Alexis Lehman
2020      Mackaid Burner and Samuel Luke
2021      Isabella Angel

Nelson M. Hauenstein Award
Given to a music student who shows outstanding achievement and promise in the art of music
1975      Ronald Warren
1976      Dale Mowery
1981      Regina Koontz
1997      Amanda Montgomery
1998      Luke Parthemore
1999      Justin Byers
2000      Rachel Neff and Mandy High
2001      Kelly Worthington
2002      Ben Gundy and Erin Craig
2003      Mari Way
2004      Krysten Groman
2005      Juliane Thompson
2006      Dan Stratton
2007      Ethan Reichenbach
2008      Jordan Cluts
2009      Tyler Domer
2010      Elyse Terry
2011      Katlyn Bates
2012      Kristi Geiser
2013      Nathan Hursh
2014      Emily Sycks and Lauren Yost
2017      Krysten Yost
2018      Sydney Hoff
2019      Caleb Mikesell
2020      Patrick Estell
2021      Elizabeth Bourassa

Director's Award for Band
1979      Lora Rodabaugh
1980      Lorie Gerber
1981      Regina Koontz
1982      Rhonda Beach
1983      Joyce Klay
1984      Tami Creps
1985      Julie Shelly
1986      Debra Dangler
1987      Beth Suter and Sonia Weaver
1988      Kathy Garmatter
1989      Ben Chappell and Jennifer Urich
1990      Mike Meyer
1991      Jennifer Chappell
1992      Jon Geisheimer
1993      Jennifer Stemen
1994      Tyler Edwards
1995      Kelly Jo Wise
1996      Travis Unterbrink
1997      Laura Diller
1998      Stacie Weihrauch and Travis Borger
1999      Ann Hohenbrink
2000      Andy Edinger and James Crawfis
2001      Lindsay Steiner
2002      Amanda Doty and Christen Burris
2003      David Beer and Lauren Potts
2004      Colin Dyck and Anna Enderle
2005      Juliane Thompson and Cara Gudakunst
2006      Matthew Mummert
2007      Gwen Smith and Kathryn Luginbuhl
2008      Kelsey Goldenetz and Vas Prakhov
2009      Amanda Rhonemus
2010      Bob Jones
2012      Mary Woodruff and Kallen Terry
2013      Rachel Yoder
2014      Emily Sycks and Audrey Marshall
2015      Emma Woodruff
2017      Noah Woodruff and Kristen Yost
2018      William Deitsch
2019      Autumn Gesler and Derek Swartzlander
2020      Angela Williams and Patrick Estell
2021      Tre' Bender

Director's Award for Choir
1978      Riekki Benham
1979      Linda Begg
1980      Janice Sherrick
1981      Jon Szabo
1982      Barb Blake
1983      Patti Gammage and Joyce Klay
1984      Mike Yoder
1985      Julie Shelly
1986      Trisha Musser
1988      April Dunlap
1989      Julie Friesen
1990      Kriste Lytle
1991      Aimee Bennett
1992      Jeremy Herr
1993      Matt Romick and Beth Drake
1994      Brian Hilty
1995      Carrie Downey
1996      Ben Lee
1997      Sam Brauen
1998      Angie Queen
1999      Elaine Drake
2000      Elizabeth Beer
2001      Jenny Ford
2002      Amanda Doty and Keri Amstutz
2003      Mari Way
2004      Tyler Badertscher and Krysten Groman
2005      Justin Atkins and Melissa Garmatter
2006      Kyle Roby
2007      Sarah Diller and Adrian Matthews
2009      Brittany Sheehan, Kaitlin Hieronimus and April Yoakam
2010      Clay Atkins, Tyler Breidenbach and Evan Skilliter
2012      Halle Steingass and Chase Wilson
2013      Rachel Yoder
2014      Cody Williams-Basinger and Lauren Yost
2015      Elijah Runk
2017      Kristen Yost
2018      Sarah Gillen and Braden Conrad
2019      Mason Ault and Tanner Pinks
2020      Kaitlynn Rieman and Nephi Peralta
2021      Ayden McDougle

Robert Shaw Award for Choir
Given to an outstanding vocal music student
1978      Kerrie Lehman
1979      Dale Mowery
1980      Deb Foulkes
1981      Dina Pannabecker
1982      Mark Yoder
1983      Kris Porzelius
1984      Julie Foulkes
1985      Chris Deerhake
1986      Brigette Herr
1987      Wendy Chappell
1988      Mike Bennett
1989      Jennifer Lehman
1990      Amy Gallant
1991      Adam Gillespie
1992      Jason Follas
1993      Jon Kinn
1994      Paul Kingsley
1995      Kelly Jo Wise
1996      Marc Shaner
1997      Kara Gratz
1998      Katie Rodabaugh
1999      Cherilyn Matthews
2000      Mark Brauen and Cana Luma
2001      Matt Nowlan
2002      Rochelle Matthews
2003      Becky Houston
2004      Mary Miller
2005      Juliane Thompson
2006      Alex Raabe
2007      Gwen Smith
2008      Megan Spallinger
2009      Amanda Rhonemus
2010      Jessica Liska
2012      Jane Sycks
2013      Rachel Yoder
2014      Emily Sycks
2015      Emma Burkholder and Darnell Boddie
2017      Colin Dyck and Anna Enderle
2018      Alyssa Casemier
2019      Hannah Yost
2020      Sidnie Koontz
2021     No award given

Orchestra Award / Director's Award for Orchestra
1993      Trent Unterbrink
2000      Theresa Meyer
2001      Brett Buller
2002      Allison Edinger
2004      Anne Steiner
2006      Michael Schwager
2007      Ethan Reichenbach
2008      Jordan Cluts
2009      Jacob Babcock
2010      Kayne Edwards
2011      Meredith Bixel
2012      Mary Woodruff
2014      Kyle Kahle
2016      Mark Bixel and Katie Frazier
2017      Tad Steiner
2018      Leah Tabler and Kaleb Jefferson
2019      Amanda Speicher and Lily Shadle
2020      Ana Neufeld Weaver and Grace Paquin
2021      Melina Meza

Semper Fidelis Award
Given to a band student who exemplifies good musicianship, dedication, dignity, community service and good grades
1990      Amy Gallant
1991      Troy Unterbrink
1993      Jared Lehman
1994      Tyler Edwards
1995      Sarah Holt
1996      Shane Geisheimer
1997      Catherine Kingsley
1998      Peter Bixel
1999      Tim Raabe
2000      Nathan Sommer
2001      Blaize Potts
2002      Josh Weaver
2003      David Beer and David Shields
2004      Sarah Scalf
2006      Eric Blevins
2007      Annalisa Harder
2008      John Harder
2009      Aaron Shelly
2011      Jeremy Enneking
2012      Lucas Harnish
2013      Jonathan Nisly
2014      Andrew Hoff
2015      John Oakley
2017      Eli Bourassa
2018      none given
2019      Jesse Montel|
2020      Harrison Stechschulte
2021      No award given

Show Choir Award
2000      Molly Bixel
2001      Katie Brodman
2003      Andrew Bixel
2004      Joy Savage and Aaron Montgomery
2005      Nick Nowlan
2006      Rachel Mohr
2007      Jaclyn Enderle and Emily Marshall
2008      Andrew Keeler and Emily Intagliata
2009      Ryan Sommers and Amber Shelly
2010      Katie Rhodes
2012      Zach Harlow and Jennifer Hieronimus
2013      Rachel Yoder
2014      Katie Jo Breidenbach
2015      Emma Burkholder
2017      Megan Sycks and Kristen Yost and Marley Runk
2018      Sarah Gillen
2019      Ashley Eachus
2020      Sidnie Koontz
2021      Elizabeth Bourassa, Clara Matthews, Kayla VanAtta

Drama Award
2009      Amanda Rhonemus and Paul Yoder
2010      Jessica Liska
2011      Sara Chappell-Dick
2012      Jennifer Hieronimus
2013      Mark and Julie Yoder
2014      Andrew Hoff
2015      Emma Burkholder and Jack Henry Neff
2017      Marley Runk and Megan Sycks
2018      Alyssa Casemier
2019      Hannah Yost and Tanner Pinks
2020      Kaitlynn Rieman and Raina Runk
2021     No award given

These award lists have been compiled from BHS Yearbooks and The Bluffton
News archives, and are not comprehensive. If you have any info regarding these, please contact the Icon at [email protected].