Eric Kitchenman Nomination Letter

April 13, 2019

Cadets Hall of Fame Committee,

I would like to submit Michelle Owens to be considered for the Cadets Hall of Fame.

This comes to you from someone who witnessed her contribution directly. I witnessed her deep commitment and dedication to the Cadets but I also witnessed her impact on the entire pageantry community. She was special. I would add very, very, special.

Her years as an instructor for the Cadets color guard were in 2003 through 2008. These are dates that indicate the passage of time. What they don’t measure is how a person has impacted those around them. How a person built a deep connection from fellow staff members and deeper admiration, respect and love from performers who benefitted from Michelle’s passionate dedication. She impacted all.

To put in a simple phrase, it was the power of her heart to care with the most genuine connection and empathy. Her warm smile and loving nature always came through to all she met. She would be on the field with individuals helping them to figure out a phrase or calming them to a place where they found their center or supporting them in a difficult personal matter. She not only had a broad perspective to get the ensemble to perform at a high level but more importantly it was her scope of bringing it down to the individual. I would add that she led by example, always showing fellow members and performers that there was a way to overcome obstacles.

I can recall one small specific incident in Johnstown PA in spring training in 2008. It was a very early morning and I was driving by the turf field and saw two people on the field. One was going through their routine and another was coaching. It was misty, a morning fog was on the field and it was a chilly. A Cadet member was being coached by Michelle. I came to find out later that this young performer asked for assistance and Michelle agreed to assist her before the corps got up for their breakfast. She said it was the best time. They met an hour before wake up as the sun just started to rise and Michelle gave this young Cadet special focus. That’s the kind of instructor Michelle was, without any hesitation. This is just one small example of dozens I witnessed over the years Michelle was on the Cadet staff.

Like a pebble dropped into a pond, Michelle’s influence in the Cadets resonated for many and to this day those ripples keep pushing personal and professional boundaries to those she inspired. That’s the spirit of Michelle. People all over our activity either in marching band, color guard or drum corps knew Michelle and were touched by her presence. They met her or crossed paths with her and they simply cannot forget Michelle Owens.

We lost Michelle in 2016 to ovarian cancer. To amplify the point of the way she lived her life, even in dealing with this cancer she did so in loving kindness and shared her journey with the world in the hope it would be of benefit to those who suffered as she did. We witnessed what this brave young person was in her essence and why she is special to our community. When we consider the qualities to be a member of the Cadets, present and past and what virtues we would want from a member of our community; I believe Michelle Owens is the model.

I strongly recommend Michelle Owens to the Cadets Hall of Fame and ask you give her the consideration she justly deserves.

Thank you,

Eric Kitchenman

2007, 2008 Cadets Associate Program Coordinator

2009 Cadets Visual Staff