Former Meridian resident James Clayton Vaughn has landed a spot in one of the most prestigious organizations for music in the world – the United States Marine Band known as “The President’s Own.”

The President’s Own performs in hundreds of events every year, and travels across the country each fall on a concert tour, a tradition that began in 1891 under director and composer John Philip Sousa.

Vaughn who resides in Birmingham, Ala. says it’s an honor to be selected.

“That organization has been around for a really long time, so getting to serve my country and getting to play with an ensemble that’s been around that long is amazing,” Vaughn said. “Our first job is going to be at the Ford Theatre; I remember going there on a fifth-grade school trip and now I get to play a concert there.”

Vaughn is a member of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, the Des Moines Metro Opera Orchestra, and performs regularly as a member of the Walden Chamber Music Society in Salida, Colorado. He has performed in many of the nation’s top music festivals including Tanglewood, Music Academy of the West, National Repertory Orchestra, Meadowmount, and the Sewanee Summer Music Festival.

Starting his studies of the cello at the age of 10, Vaughn continued to study his instrument throughout high school, at which time he was also a member of the Meridian Symphony Orchestra and the Tupelo Symphony Orchestra. He graduated from the University of Louisville with a bachelor of arts in music and humanities, earned a masters of music degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music, and received his Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in cello performance at the University of Colorado Boulder. After a long career in various orchestras and performing across the country, Vaughn decided that he wanted to be a part of something with a deeper purpose.

“I’ve auditioned for the President’s Own twice because I’ve always wanted to serve my country through my music, and now I get to do that. I’m really looking forward to it,” Vaughn said.

After his selection for a cello position in the band, Vaughn enlisted into the United States Marine Corps at Montgomery Military Entrance Processing Station, through Marine Corps Recruiting Station Montgomery, Alabama. Within the next few weeks, he will report to Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., where he will receive on-site training in necessary military subjects in a structured program that allows new members to transition from civilian life to active duty military life. He will also be immediately appointed to staff sergeant, as it is an equivalent salary to comparable civilian organizations.

“I feel really honored,” said Vaughn. “It’s a little overwhelming all of the stuff that I have to learn. It’s like I’m doing the same thing that I’ve always been doing, but it’s very different. I’m ready to go up there and play music and learn the history and military side of things, and to start a new and exciting chapter in my life.”

Miss Hospitalities greeting at The Crooked Letter

The Crooked Letter will host a meet and greet for Meridian and Lauderdale County’s Miss Hospitality contestants from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 2.

Meridian’s Miss Hospitality Anna McDaniel and Lauderdale County’s Miss Hospitality Victoria Bean will sign autographs and greet the public at the store located at 2120 B Front Street in downtown Meridian.

McDaniel, a student at William Carey University, is majoring in mass communications. She is a 2016 graduate of Russell Christian Academy.

Bean, a student at Meridian Community College, is majoring in dental hygiene. She is a 2016 graduate of West Lauderdale High School.

Both women will compete in the 68th annual Mississippi Miss Hospitality Pageant July 20-21 at the Saenger Theater in Hattiesburg for $100,000 in scholarships.

Boy Scouts clean up cemetery

Recently nearly 20 Boy Scouts from Troop 16 assisted District 2 Supervisor Wayman Newell in cleaning up a cemetery located oat 10th Ave and 33rd St. 

“The heroes that are buried in these cemetery’s deserve to have a clean final resting place,” Newell said in a statement. “The young men from Troop 16 have done an outstanding job today. It is a pleasure to see these young men working so hard and being great citizens of Lauderdale County.”

Troop 16’s Scoutmaster James Swartz said, “Service to the community is very important in Scouting. Scouting develops leaders of tomorrow through projects like this.”

Jackson Lafferty, a Life Scout, said, “it is a shame that this cemetery is in the shape it is in. We are glad to help.”

Piano recital

Owen Gipson, Anthony Hasenmueller, Anna Grace Armstrong and Skylar Balliet, beginner piano students of Wynne Alexander, presented a piano recital May 15 at First Baptist Newton. Ashlin Round, a member of the Mississippi Elementary State Honor Choir, also participated with a vocal solo.