***HOMECOMING 2014 INFORMATION***

Hello MTA Family. First, thank you for your patience in waiting on homecoming plans. I appreciate it. Below are the plans for our homecoming week which includes a pre-homecoming kick-off social. Details of each event are also given, as well as information regarding dues, t-shirts, and homecoming protocol. I look forward to ‪#‎Celebrating10‬ with you this year at Homecoming 2014. If you have any questions about homecoming, feel free to inbox me.

In Marching Tiger Spirit,
Audrey

HOMECOMING 2014 EVENTS
September 27, 2014 – October 3, 2014

EVENTS:
MTA Homecoming Kick-Off Social
Saturday, September 27, 2014
at B.B. King’s Blues Lounge
8pm

Marching Tiger Meet & Greet
Monday, September 29, 2014
*Location TBD but it will either be the band room or cafeteria
6pm

(Event TBD)
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Location TBD
Time TBD

Homecoming Game
Friday, October 3, 2014
JHS Stadium
7:30pm

DETAILS OF EVENTS: 
MTA Homecoming Kick-Off Social: The social is the pre-homecoming kick off to our homecoming week. The social is the Saturday before homecoming. Alumni will pay for their own food, drinks, etc… I will create an event for this event. A mandatory head count is required from B.B.’s.

Meet & Greet (MTA and band students): The Meet & Greet is Monday of homecoming week. Initially, I wanted to get sponsorship for this event but had to put plans on hold which affected the time I had to get sponsorship. I’m asking alumni to please donate food items for this event for this year only. I estimate that we will be feeding approximately 100 students. Food must not be home made, but store-bought (school rules). I will create an event for this as well for anyone who would like to donate. A list of items that you can donate will be posted on the Meet & Greet event page.

Event (TBD): Initially I’d plan this day to be a fundraiser in conjunction with the band. Checking to see if a fundraiser is still being planned. If not, we can decide if we want to do something for this day. It would be the Wednesday of homecoming week.

T-SHIRTS: I’m completing the design for a commemorative shirt this year. (I’ve attached the mock up). I'm finalizing the price. I’d like to keep the price at $10 but it may be slightly more (trying to keep it to no more than $15). Price increase would be for this year only.

DUES: Dues are $10. Alumni will be able to pay online and arrangements will be made to have payments brought to the band room. [NOTE: Since we had a time with some paying dues and t-shirts at the same time last year, going forward alumni will have the option of paying everything at once or separately.]

HOMECOMING PROTOCOL: I’m waiting on confirmation from Jamaal about alumni participating (marching) with the band. He has to present it to Mrs. Maxwell first.

HOMECOMING GAME TICKETS: To be sure that all alumni who are participating/marching with the band are covered, I am working on giving you the option of pre-purchasing your game ticket. This option is only for those who are financial and financial members who are marching with the band ONLY. Tickets are $6.

**When I finalize the t-shirt price and pre-sale of tickets, I will post and give the link to online payment. Money deadline will be posted then as well***

I will update with more homecoming protocol once I get word from Jamaal.

This information will be posted on our blog, linked on Twitter, and emailed. Please share with fellow alumni.

Thank you everyone,
Audrey

HOMECOMING 2014

HOMECOMING 2014 INFORMATION COMING SOON...

[Homecoming is October 3, 2014]

#KeepRufusRedding Update

***UPDATE***

The #KeepRufusRedding campaign has been placed on hold temporarily. We will update you as soon as we get the green light to move forward again. Thank you for your continued support.

SIGN THE PETITION TO KEEP RUFUS REDDING AS HEAD BAND DIRECTOR

Marching Tiger Alumni:

On June 4, 2014, Rufus Redding, III will be reassigned to another department at Jones High School and will no longer be head band director, a position he has held for over 25 years. While we respect Jones High School’s principal, Mrs. Valeria Maxwell, we do not agree with her decision to remove Mr. Redding from his position.

From our understanding Mr. Redding is being reassigned to another department and to a position that is completely out of his element. His training and specialty have always been music therefore that is where his heart and passion is. There has been no valid cause for the reassignment. While under the leadership of Mr. Redding, Jones High has repeatedly maintained superior and excellent ratings during MPA. This further details the dedication and commitment to our school, our children and our community.

Mr. Redding is not just a band director but a father figure to many, a mentor, a friend, a leader, and is very passionate about his role in the lives of his students.

This news has greatly affected Mr. Redding and he wants to remain head band director at Jones High School. We are simply asking Mrs. Maxwell to rethink her decision. Again, we respect her, but we believe that this is not the right decision.

If you would like to support our effort in helping Mr. Redding to keep his position, please sign the petition. We are working hard to show our utmost support to a leader that we believe deserves to uphold his position and leave under better circumstances and in good standing.

PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION HERE.

CHANGES BEING MADE TO MTA (ALL ALUMNI: PLEASE READ)

President-Audrey Dawson

Secretary-Miara Arnold

Treasurer-Kristina White

Parliamentarian-LaKendra Jackson

Chaplain-Darren Thompson

Hello Marching Tiger Alumni. Once again, we had another great homecoming and came together to enjoy time with fellow alumni. Now that homecoming is over we are back to focusing on moving forward, growing, and building MTA.

Of importance right now: changing the atmosphere of MTA, distinguishing financial (or active members), and non-financial (or inactive members), homecoming protocol, and a possible 10-year MTA homecoming reunion celebration next year. This information is for the entire general body, and particularly to those who don’t stay connected to MTA throughout the year and only appear at homecoming.

So, as we move forward, there are some changes that will be implemented and important information that you need to know. Below is a summarized version of these things:

Changes

The most important thing that will be implemented this year is changing the atmosphere of MTA. For nine years we've come together to celebrate homecoming and we've been able to come together with fellow alumni to have fun at the game. Those nine years served its purpose, but now, as we move forward to be an active organization, one that will be a support system for the Marching Tiger Band, Mr. Redding, and his staff, the "homecoming only", "t-shirt wearing only" mentality can't be a part of MTA anymore. This is mainly for those who aren’t connected with MTA throughout the year, are only seen at homecoming, and aren't active beyond that.

Financial (or active members)

You are considered a financial (active) member of Marching Tiger Alumni once you have paid your dues. Currently, there are 30 financial members of MTA. Everyone still has an opportunity to make a $10 contribution to MTA. You can make your contribution online at: http://jhsmarchingtigeralumni.blogspot.com/p/membership-information.html or by contacting Kristina White at MTAmembership@yahoo.com for in-person payments. This contribution is considered dues and will make you a financial member of MTA.  

Non-financial (or inactive members)

You are considered a non-financial (inactive) member of Marching Tiger Alumni if you have not paid your dues, or are not a current financial member of MTA. Non-financial members are considered a part of the general body with no rights or benefits of MTA [*Benefits will be posted soon].

[Note: Dues will be used for the general operation of MTA, scholarships, and financial assistance to the Marching Tiger Band.]

Homecoming Protocol

One of the things that will be enforced next year, and in the following years, is the requirement to wear MTA shirts to the homecoming game in order to be able to participate or join other alumni members in the area where we gather. This isn't just a rule/requirement from me, it's from the principal and staff at Jones. It's been in place since 2011. For the most part alumni have been purchasing shirts which has given them access to the alumni area for homecoming. But there are those who aren't in the loop, who come to the games in plain clothes under the assumption that they can hang out in the same area as other alumni. From this point forward, I have to enforce the requirement that all alumni members who want to be in the alumni section must have on an alumni shirt.

10-year Homecoming Reunion

Next year will mark 10 years since we came together for our first Marching Tiger Alumni Reunion. I would like to commemorate this great occasion during homecoming next year. I have some ideas in mind but it will truly depend on the interest and participation of MTA. Before I share my ideas, I'm going to present them to the Executive Board so we can discuss them. Once we've discussed them, I will present them to you.

This is all for now. You will be updated with information for the general body as things are finalized (updates will not always be this lengthy). If you have any questions, you can contact me at marchingtigeralumni@yahoo.com.

In Marching Tiger Spirit,

Audrey D. Dawson

HOMECOMING 2013 RECAP (COMING SOON...)

Homecoming 2013 recap coming soon...

Hello MTA Family. Here are a few updates and reminders:

-Our first official MTA meeting is September 17, 2013 at 6pm in the band room. To be discussed: establishing MTA as an organization, homecoming, committees, and more. Mr. Redding will also be there to share what he needs from us as alumni.

-Since our meeting is one day after the deadline for our contributions, I extended the deadline to September 17, 2013 to give you an opportunity to pay on that day.

-You can still make your $20 contributions online here, in person by contacting Kristina White, Dwayne "3D" Dickens, or myself (Audrey). You can also mail your contributions as well. Contact me (Audrey) for address at marchingtigeralumni@yahoo.com.

-The first practice for alumni band is September 19, 2013 at 5pm in the band room. Music is being distributed. If you want to march/play for homecoming please go here.

-Homecoming is October 11, 2013

IMPORTANT DATES (RECAP)

September 17, 2013-MTA meeting at 6pm in the  band room
September 17, 2013-Deadline for all contributions

September 19, 2013-First alumni band practice

October 11, 2013- Homecoming 

HOMECOMING T-SHIRTS