BRITTON ZELLERS

           Britton Zellers, a senior at Robertsdale High, recently marched in the Crewe of Columbus parade, but it wasn't with the Golden Bear Marching Band.

          "Glen Smith, the band director at the University of West Alabama where I will be attending this coming fall, asked me if I wanted to get a taste of what a college band was all about," Zellers said.

           Zellers was recently awarded a $10,000 Trustee Scholarship to UWA, which is located in Livingston. The money from the scholarship, plus a band stipend and several other smaller scholarships are making college a bit more affordable.

           "I've heard that UWA is one of the least expensive four-year universities in Alabama," he said. "I like the fact that it's less than an hour's drive from Tuscaloosa and about a half-an-hour from Meridian, Miss."

           Zellers said he planned on majoring in nursing. Currently he has a 3.82 grade point average, which is a good indication that he can handle that level of course work as nursing school is normally the hardest curriculum on any campus.

           "My mom, Angie Joy, is a registered nurse," he said. "She has been a big influence on me, especially in terms of a career."

           Tommy Zellers of Elsanor is Britton's father.

           Zellers said his goal was to pass the coursework to become a registered nurse and then take the state exam so that he can work in a hospital.

           "Once I am an R.N. I may try to get in the University of Alabama's Capstone School of Nursing and earn a bachelor's degree," he said. "With a BSN I would be in a position to advance on the administrative side. If I worked for a year in a trauma unit, such as an emergency room, I could try and get into anesthesia school in order to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist or CRNA as they're known."

           Zellers said he was looking forward to playing in UWA's Scarlet Band.

           "If I go on the Bama I might try to get in the Million Dollar Band," he said. "I would hate to just throw away all of the musical and band training I've received over the years."

           Zellers said he first picked up the trombone at Central Baldwin Middle School.

           "I played for two years at CBMS and four for RHS," he said. "I've enjoyed it, as I've been fortunate enough to have great band directors at both schools. The six years of band that I've had have prepared me for playing in a college band."

           "During my years in the RHS band we've marched in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, as well as the McDonald's Thanksgiving Day Parade in Chicago.

           At RHS Zellers is a member of the Scholars Bowl Team and Mu Alpha Theta, the math organization, in addition to the Golden Bear Band.

           "At home I like to play around with my guitar, an electric Gibson," he said. "I've basically taught myself to play."

           Outside of school he is active in his youth group at church.

           Zellers said that while at Robertsdale he had learned so much from Mrs. Shannon McCurdy and Coach Steve Shartzer.

           "Mrs. McCurdy doesn't put us under a lot of pressure," he said. "As a result the classes are a lot of fun. It's the same with Coach Shartzer. I've learned a lot about history, but in a fun kind of way. He knows how to bring history to life."

           Zellers said he knew that joining the UWA band meant a lot of work, but he felt he would make a number of friends as a result.

           "I plan on going up to campus after Mardi Gras and talk to the financial aid, housing and other administrators so that I can start getting ahead in the game," he said. "One thing about it, RHS has prepared me for the next level."