20th Anniversary of the De Loache Award
The De Loache Siblings (L to R): Wyatte, Abby, Tim, Mary
This Honor’s Day Marching Band award was established in 1988 to honor Robert Streckfuss for his years as director not only of the Blue Hen Marching Band, but also the A.I duPont High School Marching Band. Three of the De Loache siblings (Wyatte, Abby, and Tim) are Delaware alumnae. Tim and Wyatte met their wives in the Marching Band. These three siblings all had Dr. Streckfuss for their high school and college marching band years.
A fourth sibling, Mary De Loache Jennings, did not graduate from Delaware but did study under Dr. Streckfuss at A.I. du Pont, making him influential in her decision to major in music education.
The award was established to give an opportunity to a band member who perhaps wasn't always the most talented, but was enthusiastic and loyal to the ideals of the Blue Hen Marching Band. Over the years the De Loache’s have been excited to meet the winners at Honor’s Day. They appreciate that the award is not always given to a music major, recognizing the diversity of the members within the band.
This award is not one that is endowed by a corporation, but rather one that come from the heart where four 'normal’ people write a check every year to provide a deserving member of the Marching Band some financial assistance for the following year.
With Wyatte returning from Saudi Arabia, it appears as if all four siblings will be at the Honor’s Day program on May 9th. A first!