Two Union Bands Seniors named National Merit Semi-Finalists

Pictured Band Students among 9 Union H.S. National Merit Semi-Finalists: Oluwajuwuralo Oyedele (front row, far left), Chase Call (fourth from right).

Nine Union High School Seniors have been named 2023-2024 National Merit Finalists, among them are two Union Bands students! Let’s congratulate:

  • Chase Call, son of Chad & Judith Call of Broken Arrow;

  • Oluwajuwuralo Oyedele, daughter of Oyedeji and Taiwo Oyedele of Broken Arrow;

ABOUT NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP

These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,600 National Merit Scholarships worth about $33 million that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship® award, semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the finalist level of the competition.

NMSC, a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance, was

established in 1955 specifically to conduct the annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

Scholarships are underwritten by NMSC with its own funds and by approximately 440 business

organizations and higher education institutions that share NMSC’s goals of honoring the nation’s

scholastic champions and encouraging the pursuit of academic excellence.

To participate in the National Merit Scholarship Program, a student must:

  • Be enrolled full time as a high school student, progressing normally toward graduation or completion of high school, and planning to enter college no later than the fall following completion of high school;

  • Be a citizen of the United States or, if not now a citizen, a permanent U.S. resident (or an applicant for permanent residency) in the process of becoming a U.S. citizen; and

  • Take the PSAT/NMSQT ® in the specified year of the high school program and no later than the third year in grades 9 through 12, regardless of grade classification or educational pattern.

Welcoming Mr. Matt Barnes

Union Bands is excited to welcome to our full-time faculty Assistant Director Mr. Matt Barnes!

For ten years previous Mr. Barnes held the position of head band director at Morris High School in Oklahoma. His ensembles at Morris received numerous OSSAA awards, and the marching band was crowned the 2013 OBA Grand Champion, among other significant accolades. 

Since graduating from Oklahoma State University in 2013, Mr. Barnes has been actively involved in arts education in Oklahoma. He is a clarinetist and bass clarinetist primarily, but has experience performing on saxophone, brass instruments of all kinds, and bass guitar. He also enjoys music theory and composition. Mr. Barnes marched with the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps in 2011 playing euphonium. He designs for guards, marching bands, and indoor drumline ensembles. Mr. Barnes has played an important role in the visual program at Resistance Indoor Percussion for a decade, where he coordinates staff and teaches visual technique & performance.

When he isn't teaching, Mr. Barnes loves tall cups of fancy coffee with nothing added and exploring the natural beauty the world has to offer. Overall, he believes the musical arts have incredible power to communicate in ways beyond words, and arts education has the potential to transform lives. He is excited to bring his skills and ideals to Union Public Schools.

Matt Barnes | Asst. Band Director | July 2023