The Sousa Award is the one of the highest honors in a high school band.  
Introduced in 1955 to honor the top student in the high school band, the John Philip Sousa Band Award® recognizes superior musicianship and outstanding dedication. It was created with the approval of Helen Sousa Albert and Priscilla Sousa, daughters of the famous composer and bandmaster.

John Philip Sousa (1854–1932) was the longtime director of The President's Own Marine Band, and a prolific composer and arranger. He championed the cause of music education, received several honorary degrees, and fought for composers' rights.

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Sun Prairie High School Band - John Philip Sousa Award Recipients

1960: Paul Jacobsen    
1961: Alan Hepner                
1962: Rita Schernecker            
1963: Jim Cobb                
1964: Jean Rattmann            
1965: Roger Hermanson        
1966: Scott Seals
1967: Diane Jansen
1968: Steve Motl
1969: Nancy Gerstad
1970: Jon Betlach
1971: Brain Schwalen
1972: Dean Vilhauer
1973: Carol Sampson
1974: Charles Felland
1975: Tom Addison
1976: Kim Ringelstetter
1977: Jay Vilhauer
1978: Kathy Heath
1979: Scott Reandeau
​1980: Steve Sveum
1981: Steve Taylor
1982: Beth Schaben
1983: Lisa Ringelstetter
​1984: Maryann Pazen
1985: Brain Nelson
1986  Scott Auby

1987: Paul Houge
1988: Donna Gasper
1989: Steve Powers
1990: Cathy Schmidt
1991: Joan Penn
1992: Erin Fuller
1993: Erika Lozier
1994: Kim Franken
1995: Jon Lundstrom
1996: Andy Olson
1997: Cindy Terhune
1998: Aaron Broege
1999: Josh Paris
2000: Jackie Terhune
2001: Sarah Tauchen
2002: Christi Barten
2003: Karin Mueller
2004: Jenna Joanis
2005: Molly Censky
2006: Andrew Konkol
2007: Travis Kaney
2008: Wesley Davison
2009: Christine Piela
2010: Laura Linde
2011: Jon Nelson
2012: Matthew Allen
2013: Kyra Silbernagel

2014: Rachel Williams
2015: Mark Sommer
2016: Molly Sheahan
2017: Bridget Davison
2018: Emma Johansson
2019: Erin Milleville
​2020: Michael Wu
2023: East: Embree Way
           West: Juanita Duarte