This year for the first time in its history, the Northwest Mississippi Community College Ranger Marching Band will have three drum majors, sophomores, Daniel Waller, Lauren Belk and Elizabeth Williams.

Waller, a graduate of South Panola High School in Batesville, is an alto saxophone player. He is a General College major. At Northwest, he has participated in the marching band, Symphonic Winds, Jazz Band, Pep Band and pit orchestra. He is a member of the Baptist Student Union, and was on the President’s List as a freshman. In high school, Waller played in marching and symphonic bands and was drum major his senior year. He served as Student Council and Technology Students Association treasurer, and president of the chess club in high school. He was a member of the Future Business Leaders of America, and a member of Junior Civitan. As a senior, he was voted Most Talented, received a Citizenship Award and was on the Superintendent’s List.

Belk, who graduated from Olive Branch High School, is studying Child Psychology at Northwest. She played piccolo in the Ranger Marching Band, and flute and piccolo in the Symphonic Winds her freshman year. She was on the Dean’s List and was selected for All-State Band last year. Belk participated in marching band, wind ensemble and jazz band during high school. She was drum major her senior year. She participated in Ballet DeSoto for two years, appearing in “Swan Lake,” “Sleeping Beauty,” and “The Nutcracker.” A member of Mu Alpha Theta and the National Honor Society her junior and senior year in high school, she has been honored as Rotary Student of the Month, Miss Olive Branch Band, and Most Outstanding Woodwind Player. Her hobbies are knitting and crocheting, and she took dance for 15 years. She studied piano for seven years.

Williams, a General College major, is a 2006 graduate of Grenada High School. Her family now lives in Leland. At Northwest, Williams played French Horn in the marching band and Symphonic Winds, and trumpet in the Jazz Band. She sang alto with the Northwest Singers, and was a member of the BSU and the Wesley Foundation. A four-year member of her high school band, Williams played trumpet and French horn and was drum major her senior year. She was a member of several clubs and received many awards in high school including Most Improved in band, Outstanding Achievement in 4-H and Outstanding Student of the Year in Piano. Her fraternal twin Emily, is also a member of the Ranger Marching Band.

"We are very excited to have Elizabeth Williams, Lauren Belk and Daniel Waller serving as drum majors for the 2007 Ranger Marching Band,” said John Mixon, assistant director of bands. “Each of them brings excellent leadership skills and terrific work ethic to our organization. They are great examples of the quality of students that are part of Northwest.

With their leadership the Northwest Band is sure to reach its fullest potential."

This year the band will perform the songs of the rock group Boston in their show. The band will make its first appearance at “Meet the Rangers” on Aug. 23 at 6 p.m. at Bobby Franklin Field in the Ranger Stadium. For more information contact Mixon at 562-3336 or e-mail jmixon@northwestms.edu.