MICHELLE OWENS

Class of 2019

INSTRUCTOR / MENTOR

Cadet Years: Guard Instructor (1995-2005)

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HER CADET STORY:​

Michelle loved the pageantry arts and was involved in it since she was a 6th grader at New Hartford High School in New Hartford, NY.  She was a color guard member of the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps where she marched from 1990 through 1994.  After aging out, she later went on to teach several drum corps which included the Crossmen, The Cadets, Troopers and Magic of Orlando.

 

Michelle taught the Cadets as a guard technician from 2003-2008.  She also supported guard members financially through sponsorships from 2003-2016.

 

Michelle was loved by all because of the way she taught.  Always demanding but with a warmth and a charm that was inviting to all.  I can't tell you the countless people through the years who have said Michelle was their favorite instructor.  She got the best out of her students because she supported them.  Michelle would take the time to individually help those that needed it.  She learned every count of the show so she could first hand understand the issues the performers were having so she could be very specific on how to make her student’s better performers. 

 

Aside from building great performers, Michelle also believed her role was to mold these young people into strong, independent, caring human beings.  Michelle was an all-around great educator and an asset to The Cadets.

 

Michelle taught young people for 26 years through multiple platforms of drum corps, winter guard and marching band. She loved this activity and she approached it with a positive attitude, encouraging spirit and genuine heart.

 

In September of 2015 Michelle was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.  She lost that battle a year later in September of 2016 at the age of 43. Michelle’s personality was one that was always giving to others. She was always more concerned with how you were doing and what was going on in your life than herself.  It is with this simple character that she was loved by all who met her.  Michelle had a smile that could light up a room and made people feel good.  I speak of this because Michelle’s love, support and kindness to others, came back tenfold to her from her pageantry arts family as she battled cancer.  So many people from Michelle’s past reached out to her.  It was a testament to the lives she touched through the years.  It was also a true awakening that if you lead a good life and care for others, you will truly be remembered.  Michelle’s was a life cut short but it was a life well lived.

 

Michelle has been celebrated these in many ways.  And our Cadet organization has contributed as well, a group of our Cadet alumni planted a Remembrance Tree in Allentown Park where the guards warm up for DCI East. The corps also honored Michelle by placing remembrances on their food truck and equipment truck.  And from 2020-2023 a remembrance scholarship in Michelle’s name was given to a deserving guard member each year.  Michelle was a person that made a difference and had a significant impact on many lives.

 

Additional Honors: 

• Mid-York Color Guard Circuit Hall of Fame

• SAPA (Southeast Association for Performing Arts) Hall of Fame

• Crossmen Hall of Fame

• Field of View Hall of Fame