Patrick John Hughes Parent/Booster Award

Dan Adams,
2008 Recipient Band Booster,
American Fork H.S., Utah

When we at Music for All considered how to best share Dan's story, we felt that we could not tell it better than this letter from American fork H.S. Director of Bands, John Miller.

The father of six children, Dan Adams has served as an American Fork H.S. Band Booster for the past 23 years. When I first came to American fork H. S. Dan Adams had a percussion student in my band, and after watching me and one other staff member load equipment on top of a bus he asked if he could help us. This was the start of a 23-year relationship that has involved three more of his children. Though he hasn't had children in the program for twelve years he has continued to serve our students.

Dan and his wife Karen have played an indispensable part in the building of the American Fork Band programs. Words can never fully express my appreciation for what Dan has done, and continues to do, for my students and myself. Dan has served as our head Band Dad and has developed a small group of dedicated men into a sizable force that has established its own autonomy within our booster organization. It has developed into a type of "service fraternity" under his leadership and dedication. Under Dan's leadership these men have obtained and maintained two semi trailers, manufactured hundreds of pieces of equipment, propos, storage racks, and built a complete brick storage building. Dan has not stopped helping our band but has developed a presentation that he has presented to many band parent groups in schools around Utah helping to organize their band boosters. He has helped present this session at two of our Utah Music Educators Conferences with rave reviews from directors in attendance. Dan and his crew of Ban Dad's also take an active role in transporting and setting up the floor and equipment for our winter guard program. At competitions around the state, Dan and his crew can be found helping many bands and winter guards onto the field. Many area directors call on Dan for advice and ask for his assistance in designing some piece of equipment or for ideas to make their band programs move to a higher level.

As a retired elementary school principal, Dan has always served as my mentor and confidant when I am dealing with delicate issues that spring up now and then. He is a trusted sounding board and advisor that continues to provide me with solid information. Dan's long term involvement and dedication to our program plays an indispensable and integral part of our program. I cannot even imagine doing what I do, as director of the American fork Band, without Dan being by my side. I only wish all directors could be as blessed with a man like Dan working beside them. Thank you, Dan you have touched many lives especially mine.
  —John Miller, Director of Bands, American fork H. S., American Fork, UT

Wendy Jones is the current Band Booster President at American fork and has two children in the band. She tells of how when first asked to serve as booster president, she stopped by Dan and Karen Adams' house unannounced and was welcomed into their home.

"The first words out of my mouth were, 'Why do you do what you do to help this band,'" says Wendy. "Karen told me how many years ago the band at American Fork High School had opened their arms and hearts to their daughter who needed a place to belong. Karen and Dan said, 'This band saved her; we will always be grateful for the values this program builds in our youth. We give back to this band because how important it is for our kids to have a place to belong, to be accepted; a place to learn values, team work, dedication and hard work; a place not only to learn music, but a place to learn how to be leaders, how to serve and how to be good responsible people.' Dan and Karen Adams changed my life that day. I gained an understanding of true service."

Dan is equally beloved by the band members. "In the American Fork High School Marching band, our parent/booster program is something we as students take great pride in", says Drum Major Richard Flores. "Dan Adams may be just one of these amazing parents, but his efforts and dedication stand out more than any other. I've never met a more humble, selfless, thoughtful, amazing man. It's been 20 years since he's had children in the band and yet he still gives so much of himself to service. I have often wondered shy he is still a Band Dad. The other day it finally hit me. He sees the positive influence band has in our lives. If he can do something to change our lives for the better, he'll be right there to do it."

"Above all, the band members know that Dan Adams is their greatest booster", says Glen Clark, former Principal and currently on faculty at Utah Valley University. "In addition to all of his service and leadership, he always had a smile, a word of encouragement, or a 'high five' for each band member. For Dan, it's always been about selfless, humble service to provide a life-changing experience for students."