Story by Chelbie Bolton - HSU Hometown News Coordinator

Forget the glass ceiling--Holly Fidler managed to break through the brass ceiling. In a surprise announcement during the Cowboy Band's Spring Formal at the Old Jail Art Center in Albany, Holly was named the first ever female recipient of the prestigious Spears-Presley Award. The Spears-Presley Award, also known as the Gold Medal award, is given to the graduating member of the Cowboy Band who has the best record in scholarship and in Band over a period of four years.

Chosen by Cowboy Band Director, Dr. Wayne Dorothy, the recipient of the award is selected based on their dedication, character, spirit, and interaction with other band members. As Holly puts it, the choice is determined by "how well you personify the old cowhand spirit." The highest award obtainable in the organization, the Gold Medal award originated in 1928 as the Joe Ellis Medal by Joe Ellis Jewelers of Abilene. In 1932, the award was taken over by the Presley Jewelry Company in Abilene and became the Presley Medal which was discontinued in 1956. In 1971, the Elmer Spears medal was started by Elmer E. Spears and was endowed by Spears for a perpetual medal.

In addition to playing the flute for four years, Holly served as the Cowboy Band treasurer and secretary as well as an assistant mom during the Cowboy Band orientation process. Although it is safe to say that all Cowboy Band members share a loyalty to the organization, Holly's dedication to the group and her fellow members goes beyond just a fondness for music.

"I just love this band. I feel goofy having this much devotion."
Originally from Mineral Wells, Holly was a proud member of the "Ram Band" throughout her high school career. She chose to attend Hardin-Simmons after the Cowboy Band performed at her school.

"They were so good, and just the right size. I made my decision right then to come to HSU."

Admitting that, "almost every great memory of HSU can be attributed to band," Holly counts the band's annual participation in the Neiman Marcus Adolphus Children's Christmas Parade as one of her favorite collegiate memories.

"When the people lined up on the streets come up to you, saying you're the whole reason they come to the parade, it is an amazing feeling. Those few hours make a year of hard work, practicing, and even fighting, worth it!"

Holly received a Bachelor of Behavioral Science during December commencement exercises, and plans to spend the next semester continuing her involvement with organizations that assist those with disabilities in order to prepare for grad school in the fall. Although she has yet to determine where she will be attending, she plans on studying behavioral and communication disorders.

Although she is excited about the future, Holly notes that the primary thing she will miss about HSU is her involvement with the band, particularly entertaining and connecting with an audience. She explains that perhaps her feelings are best expressed by Dorothy May McClure's The World Famous Cowboy Band:

"The Cowboy Band is something of an institution itself. Not apart from HSU, to be sure, but an entity which commands an added measure of devotion from all who ever blew a horn or beat a drum in the name of the band."