Jon Bilby Nomination Letter

April 2019

Dear Cadets Hall of Fame Committee,

It is with great honor that I write this letter in support of Michelle Owens nomination to be inducted into the Cadets Hall of Fame 2019.

I have met many incredible people during my travels from Britain to march and teach within the DCI community but I can honestly say that there was something very special about Michelle Owens that made her stand out for both myself, and I know thousands of others.

I first met Michelle at Spring training in the mid-nineties when ‘The Cadets’ shared their rehearsal facility with their YEA sister group ‘The Crossmen’. I, like countless others, was incredibly shy and slightly overwhelmed by the enormity of what I had started. The two Corps shared (somewhat awkwardly) the same food truck and I vividly remember a young Crossmen instructor taking it upon herself, single handily to be the gel that bonded the two groups together. This young woman was there in the morning with the biggest smile and would mingle with every single member of both groups, getting to know each individual, finding out (and remembering) everyone’s names. She was funny, warm, caring and interested in everyone’s backgrounds and stories. I personally had British friends that had marched with her in 1990-93 Crossmen and she used this connection as a way of making me feel at home and comfortable at the start of my new adventure. This special woman was Michelle Owens.

Michelle had a unique gift of sharing love and warmth unlike anyone I have ever known - It radiated from her as she entered any space. Michelle understood emotional intelligence and the power of relationships in a way that allowed her teach and facilitate growth in her members and colleagues far beyond that of simply technique and clean counts. I learnt to realise this embodied who Michelle was and this incredible energy and passion to brighten up others’ lives was her gift to the world of pageantry, the performing arts and of course The Cadets.

Having known Michelle throughout my marching years, it was a thrill to be able to finally teach with her at The Cadets from 2003-2007. Our Corps instantly became a better place on Michelle’s arrival. The same energy, warmth, love and pastoral care of our young people that had defined her relentless teaching style allowed her students to chase their dreams and goals with a confidence and sense of fun that was infectious to all.

I cannot think of anyone that is more deserving of a place in the Cadets Hall of Fame than Michelle Owens. Every single person that has met Michelle - whether a member, instructor, volunteer or otherwise is a better person for knowing her.

Michelle is the absolute standard of humanity and indeed the vision of how I would like my children to grow up and emulate.

I thank you profusely for your consideration.

Jon Bilby

The Cadets, Member 1996-98

Cadet of the Year 1998

Cadets Visual Instructor 1999-2007, 2011,14-17

Cadets Hall of Fame 2017

Cadets2, Visual Designer 2018