Jeff Sacktig Nomination Letter

Dear Cadets Hall of Fame Committee,

I’m honored to be supporting the nomination of Michelle Owens posthumously to The Cadets Hall of Fame.

Michelle taught the Cadets as a guard technician from 2003-2008. She also supported guard members financially through sponsorships from 2003-2016.

Michelle was part of a team that produced some of the best guards The Cadets ever had. Michelle was loved by all because of the way she taught. Always demanding but with a warmth and a charm that was inviting to all. I can't tell you the countless people through the years who have said Michelle was their favorite instructor. She got the best out of the members because she supported them. Michelle would take the time to individually help those that needed it. She learned every count of the show so she could first hand understand the issues the performers were having so she could be very specific on how to make the members better performers.

Aside from building great performers, Michelle also believed her role was to mold these young people into strong, independent, caring human beings. She was always there to help the members get through the daily grind of tour, whether it be a supportive listener, a confidante with words of encouragement, a shoulder to cry on or a simple hug or smile. Michelle was there to care for the members. She was an all-around great educator and an asset to The Cadets.

Michelle taught young people for 26 years through multiple platforms of drum corps, winter guard and marching band. She loved this activity and she approached it with a positive attitude, encouraging spirit and genuine heart.

In September of 2015 Michelle was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She lost that battle a year later in September of 2016 at the age of 43. Michelle’s personality was one that was always giving to others. She was always more concerned with how you were doing and what was going on in your life than herself. It is with this simple character that she was loved by all who met her. Michelle had a smile that could light up a room and made people feel good. I speak of this because Michelle’s love, support and kindness to others, came back tenfold to

pageantry arts family as she battled cancer. So many people from Michelle’s past reached out to her. It was a testament to the lives she touched through the years. It was also a true awakening for both of us that if you lead a good life and care for others, you will truly be remembered. Michelle’s was a life cut short but a life well lived.

Michelle has been celebrated these last 2 and half years in many ways. And our Cadet organization has contributed as well, a group of our Cadet alumni planted a Remembrance Tree in Allentown Park where the guards warm up for DCI East. The corps also honored Michelle by placing remembrances on their food truck and equipment truck. Michelle was a person that made a difference and had a significant impact on many lives. I think she is an exceptional candidate for the Cadets Hall of Fame.

Thank you for your consideration,

Jeff Sacktig The Cadets, Member, Instructor, Visual Designer 1986-2015

Cadets2, Visual Designer 2012-2016 Cadets Winter Percussion, Visual Designer 2016 Cadets Hall of Fame 2008 DCI Hall of Fame 2015

Michelle at rehearsal.

A Michelle Remembrance on The Cadets Equipment Truck

Michelle’s Remembrance Tree in Allentown Park where the guards warm up.

Donated by a group of Cadet Alumni.