Celebrating AHS

Avon High School was in the spotlight during the December 11 meeting of the Avon Board of School Trustees. During the Celebrating Orioles segment, the Board — along with Representative Greg Steuerwald, Senator John Crane, and the Town of Avon Town Council — issued commendations and proclamations celebrating AHS's 2023 National Blue Ribbon School award and the Marching Black & Gold's Bands of America Grand National Championship.

The Town of Avon even proclaimed Friday, December 15, to be Black & Gold Day in the Town of Avon. (Remember to wear Black and Gold to show your support for AHS and Avon Schools.)

It was a special evening for all who were involved. Scroll down to see photos and don't miss two of the videos that debuted at the meeting.

Board Secretary Kim Woodward — herself a one-time Band Parent and multi-term Board Member — summarized the thoughts of many. Her comments are below, in full.

About Avon Marching Black & Gold's BOA Grand National Championship

So, the first time Avon Marching Black & Gold won state was in 2001. I was there…on the field…because I was on the Pit Crew and was the President of the Band Boosters. I remember the intense pride I felt and how grateful I was that my daughter was having a state champion experience which I knew that she (and really all members of our family) would carry with us for a lifetime. That same year, I remember walking past the Eagle trophy on the field of the RCA Dome (don’t worry, kids…ask your parents what that was when you get home) and as I looked at the Eagle, wondering if Avon could somehow win it in the future.

Fast forward to 2008 when Avon first achieved the title of Grand National Champion. When the Eagle came to Avon, I went to see it and to celebrate just how far the program had come in just a few years, really.

Fast forward again to 2023 and the Avon Marching Black & Gold along with Drumline, Color Guard, Indoor, Symphonic programs have won…everything…along the way. A program that becomes a dynasty doesn’t just happen. Like all the best musicians and marchers just HAPPEN to be born in Avon or move to Avon? The longest Indiana high school dynasty is the Carmel Girls swim team who has won 37 consecutive state championships. In that same vein, are all the girls that swim well born in Carmel? No. And, in Carmel as in Avon, it takes three things to make this magic happen.

First thing: Students who stick with it, knowing that they are part of a program that breeds success. Students, please raise your hand if on Monday after being named Grand National Champion, the best in the entire nation, you wished that you were going back out to the field to practice that show ONE.MORE.TIME. The success you felt then is what we wish for you for the rest of your lives. So, go on to the next chapter or the next season and be great. You now know what the top of the mountain feels like.

Second thing: Parents who support their kids and the program not just during the season, but always. Believe me, I know what standing outside the stadium, holding on to a marimba in pouring rain feels like. But, I wouldn’t have traded that momentary discomfort for the pride and support of the program for anything. Kids that stick with hard things, demanding things, even uncomfortable things learn that from watching parents who do the same.

Third thing: A dedicated staff that doesn’t just focus on their part in the machine…they become a team, friends, battle warriors that will go to any length to ensure they help in making “positively life-changing experiences” for students. Through these 23 years of amazing success, this team has worked together and made a family that cares about kids, cares about each other, and cares about success.

Finally, one person here also walked onto that field in 2001 with that first state championship band. He has, quite literally, poured both his personal and professional life into building that dynasty. Matt Harloff, you are the constant that has built this program. There are dozens and dozens of professional staff who were significant contributors to this success. But, you (and really the whole Harloff clan…your parents, your wife, your son in his time and, this year…your daughter) have become synonymous with this prestigious program. Sincerest thanks, sir, for a job exceedingly well done.

Congratulations to our students, NATIONAL CHAMPIONS.  Thank you for representing Avon so very, very well!

About the Avon High School 2023 National Blue Ribbon School Award

When I was secretly told that Avon High School was being recognized this year as a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education, I was so excited but also pretty clueless about what it takes to achieve this honor! Maybe that’s bad for a school board member to admit, but it’s true. So, I did some research and this is what I found:

• In 2023, only 353 schools in the United States were recognized as National Blue Ribbon schools. To give you an idea of the high honor his is…I did math. There are 97,568 public schools in the U.S., so only 3/10ths of one percent achieve this honor. National Blue Ribbon is also open to non-public schools, but I broke the internet trying to find that total population.
• Avon High School was only 1 of 52 schools in the nation to receive National Blue Ribbon status in 2023. And, only 1 of 2 in Indiana. And the only ONE of public high schools in Indiana to achieve this honor where there are 682 high schools in Indiana, made up of 555 public schools and 127 private schools. I didn’t do the math for this because…uh…AHS is the only one!
• National Blue Ribbon Schools are chosen based on overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student groups on assessments.
• Here’s the description of the purpose of this recognition: The National Blue Ribbon School award affirms and validates the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in striving for – and attaining – exemplary achievement.
• The website states: National Blue Ribbon School leaders articulate a vision of excellence and hold everyone to high standards. They demonstrate effective and innovative teaching and learning, and the schools value and support teachers and staff through meaningful professional learning. National Blue Ribbon Schools serve as models of effective and innovative school practices for state and district educators and other schools throughout the nation.
• A National Blue Ribbon School flag gracing a school’s entryway or on a flagpole is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning.
• Finally, a school must be nominated to be reviewed for this honor.  In other words, someone must recognize the standards and bring that to the attention of the U.S. Department of Education.

It is a BIG DEAL to be recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School and it is a BIGGER deal to be recognized at the High School level. An honor of this magnitude differentiates what our high school team of dedicated educators is doing nationally. We certainly celebrate the honors of our programs (like Marching Black and Gold and others) and it is right to do that. But, the difference maker for Avon High School students is the reality that the education they are receiving at Avon High School is the highest of the high that they can receive anywhere.

A team of this caliber requires a leader of this caliber. Mr. Matt Shockley is that exceptional leader and while he will be too humble to accept his enormous role in achieving this honor, it is nevertheless true.

Thank you to all our AHS administrators for a job very well done. Most importantly, thank you to our dedicated AHS teachers who work toward success with every student, every day, year after year.

Congratulations!