BILL & PAT CROISSANT
Class of 2017
VOLUNTEERS / DRIVERS / FOOD KITCHEN
Cadet Years: Pat - Food Kitchen (1985-2011)
Bill – Food Kitchen / Truck Driver (1985-2011)
THEIR CADET STORY:
Bill Croissant had a background in music. He was an educator in the Huntingdon Area School District in Huntingdon, PA where he taught instrumental and vocal music, harmony, solfeggio, ear training and conducting on the secondary and junior high school levels. He is a graduate of Penn State University with an M.Ed in Music Education and holds an MA in Music with an emphasis on conducting from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Bill has also published articles on conducting in PMEA News.
The Croissant’s began their association with the Cadets in the fall of 1985 when Bill and Pat brought their son George to Garfield High School in Garfield, NJ to audition for a spot with the Garfield Cadets as a baritone brass player. While standing and listening, Bill was approached by George Lucas who asked if he could help him move some cafeteria tables. That was the beginning of 26 years of volunteering.
Then George asked if Bill had a CDL. With some instruction and driving lessons with Dave Helms, he was able to get his CDL, and thus began Bill’s driving career with the Cadets, even to California and back. In addition, Bill helped in the kitchen when he could and did repairs on the equipment.
While Bill was learning to drive a semi, Pat, who was a former business education teacher, was learning how to help on the kitchen truck. Her mentors were George and Trudy Lucas, Jack and Ellen Warntz, Moe Latour and Greg Faydock. Pat has many fond memories preparing meals, acknowledges that there were some challenges along the way, but the kitchen crew always pulled together to get things done.
Additional Honors:
Cadet Volunteers of the Year 2003
DCI Volunteers of the Year 2006
Russell Galt Award for Outstanding Teaching at the Secondary Level from Susquehanna University (Bill Croissant)
Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers in 1992 (Bill Croissant)
