The Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association awarded the prestigious MSBOA Scholar Instrumentalist Award to Samantha P. Tadian, student at Thunder Bay Junior High School. This award is meant to recognize young musicians who achieve both academically as well as musically.

The student was nominated by Band Director Raymond R. Reynolds for outstanding accomplishments in music and academics. Each member school may nominate only one scholar per year in orchestra and band, making this an outstanding accomplishment.

The Michigan School Band & Orchestra Association is an organization of over 1,600 band and orchestra educators throughout Michigan, dedicated to improving instrumental music in Michigan. Founded on a single-district basis in 1934, it has grown to 16 regional-district association in both peninsulas, serving over 1,900 public, parochial, and private schools.

Through numerous student-oriented activities such a festivals, workshops and teacher in-service functions, MSBOA strives to provide continual growth for instrumental music. Each year, over 100,000 students in Michigan participate in MSBOA festivals, either individually or as a part of a larger group.