Dallas Independent School District

06/04/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/04/2026 10:33

Dallas ISD News: South Oak Cliff marching band seniors earn $2M in scholarships

South Oak Cliff marching band seniors earn $2M in scholarships

Editor's note: Spanish story included below


DALLAS - The legacy of South Oak Cliff's Nu Soul of the South marching band has always been bigger than music.

This year, 12 seniors turned that legacy into history, earning $2 million in scholarships and proving the band's impact reaches far beyond the field.

For Mark N., who is headed to Southern University and A&M College on a $30,000 scholarship, pursuing music beyond high school graduation is a dream come true.

"Over the years, we've known where band could lead you. We've seen a lot of upperclassmen get a lot of money," Mark said. "Quincy Jones went to school for music and produced for Michael Jackson, the greatest entertainer that ever lived. If he could do that, I feel like we could as well."

He said his long-term goal is to return to The Mecca as band director.

While marching band ignited a lifelong passion for some, it also opened the door for their classmates' other future endeavors.

In Aniyah S.'s case, a band scholarship is the first step toward law school and becoming a criminal defense attorney. Next fall, she is majoring in psychology at Texas Southern University on a full-ride band scholarship.

Aniyah credits Le Manuel Williams, head band director, for helping guide her.

"He does right by us all the time and he fights for the band program," she said, "He wants us to have a good future, and I am so thankful."

In his second year as head band director, Williams uses his past experiences as a student to encourage his seniors to explore all possibilities after graduation.

"I wasn't the best prepared for what was next after graduation," he said. "I only had one full scholarship offer, and that was after I walked across the stage. These students only see that I play very well now, or that I'm a professional trumpet player, but I have to explain to them that it doesn't just happen. It's a process."

For seniors like Mark and Aniyah, performances and music mastery are the ultimate resume, opening doors to full rides and prestigious music programs.

"The kids are starting to take ownership of the program," Williams said. "I teach them that it's not really who is on the podium; it's the 'suit' in the seats that makes the band special. Regardless of who is in front of them, they've always had that capacity in them-they just needed people around them to help pull it out."

Spanish story:

Estudiantes de banda de marcha de South Oak Cliff reciben $2 millones en becas

DALLAS - El legado de la banda de marcha de South Oak Cliff, Nu Soul of the South, siempre fue más grande que la música.

Este año, 12 estudiantes de último año sumaron a ese legado, pues obtuvieron $2 millones en becas y demostraron que el impacto de la banda va mucho más allá del campo de práctica.

Para Mark N., quien irá a South University and A&M College con una beca de $30,000, poder estudiar música después de graduarse es un sueño hecho realidad.

"A lo largo de los años, sabía adónde me podía llevar la banda. He visto a muchos graduados recibir mucho dinero", dijo Mark. "Quincy Jones estudió música y produjo para Michael Jackson, el mejor artista de todos los tiempos. Si él pudo, siento que yo también".

Mark dijo que su objetivo final es regresar a SOC para ser director de banda.

Mientras que la banda despertó una pasión vital para él, también les abrió la puerta a otros para distintos proyectos futuros.

En el caso de Aniyah S., la beca de banda es el primer paso hacia la facultad de derecho, pues quiere convertirse en abogada penalista. Este otoño, estudiará Psicología en Texas Southern University con dicha beca de banda que le cubrirá toda la matrícula.

Aniyah le atribuye el mérito a Le Manuel Williams, director de banda principal, por haberla orientado.

"Siempre hace lo correcto por nosotros y lucha por el programa de la banda", dijo. "Quiere que tengamos un buen futuro, y yo estoy muy agradecida".

En su segundo año como director principal, Williams ha usado sus experiencias anteriores como estudiante para motivar a aquellos que están por graduarse a explorar todas sus posibilidades al terminar la preparatoria.

"Yo no estaba demasiado preparado para lo que venía después de graduarme", dijo. "Solo contaba con una beca, y eso no fue hasta después de haber cruzado el escenario. Estos estudiantes ven que hoy toco muy bien, que soy trompetista profesional, pero les expliqué que eso no se dio así sin más. Es todo un proceso".

Para estudiantes como Mark y Aniyah, la interpretación y la maestría musical son el currículum perfecto, lo que abre puertas a becas completas y prestigiosos programas de estudio musical.

"Los jóvenes están empezando a apoderarse del programa", dijo Williams. "Yo les enseño que no es quien está parado sobre el podio sino quienes están sentados en los asientos lo que hace que la banda sea especial. Independientemente de quién esté delante de ellos, ellos siempre han tenido esa capacidad. Solo necesitaban personas a su alrededor que la revelaran".

Dallas Independent School District published this content on June 04, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on June 04, 2026 at 16:33 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]