Submitted by Perry Public Schools
The Perry High School Band Coronation and Winter Concert is this Sunday, December 14 in the PHS Auditorium. The Coronation and announcement of band king and queen will begin at 2:00 p.m.
Six PHS seniors have had the honor of being selected to the 2025 PHS Band Coronation royalty court. Congratulations to Eli Patak, Arianna Lewis, Grant Hoffman, Serenity Beier, Aiden Thompson, and Ava Heim. Serving as crown bearer and gift bearer during the coronation are Adeline Norris and Zyler Kukuk.
The Band is directed by Andrew Houghton and assisted by Casey Smiley.
Make plans to enjoy the concert and support the coronation candidates this Sunday afternoon.
Arianna Lewis
Arianna Suzanne Lewis is the daughter of Keith Lewis and Tracy Garcia. She has been in band for 8 years, and playing saxophone in the high school jazz band for 3 years. Ari has been the high woodwind section leader for her junior and senior year. She also attended Classic Bowl Honor Band her freshman and sophomore year. She has been an active member of the National Honor Society for the past 3 years, and an active member of the National Technical Honor Society for 2 years through Meridian Technology Center.
Ari attended Criminal Justice at Meridian Tech for 2 years. This year, she was promoted to Sergeant in her class. She is a part of the Crime Scene Investigations team, getting 1st Place State Champion in the state of Oklahoma at State Competition, making it to the Nationals Competition in Atlanta, Georgia, winning 3rd Place National Champion out of 36 other teams in the United Nation.
Band has taught her so many valuable things throughout the years. Not only did it teach her how to play an instrument and how to read music, but it taught her to value the little things, even if they’re not as important as the bigger ones. Band has also taught her to keep going no matter what happens, good or bad, allowing her to push herself harder each day. Her favorite band memory is being able to create a second family within another group, especially with her underclassmen, who she’ll always be proud of.
Looking ahead, Ari will be going to the military this next year in the Army National Guard. Afterwards, she will attend UCO, getting a bachelor's degree in Forensic Investigations, hoping to become a police officer and then join the FBI in the Human Trafficking/Criminal Investigations Unit to save lives and provide a sense of peace to the families that don’t have it and serve others before herself.
Eli Patak
Eli Anton Patak is the son of Tony and Mellanie Patak, and the grandchild of George and Delores Patak, Harlen Bell, and Estalla Kramer. His siblings are David, Jarrod, and Stephanie Harrell, Olivia Warden, and Marriya Wright.
He has been in the Perry band since 5th grade. His school accomplishments include being drum major, co-captaning the academic team, and being a member of the National Honor Society and Student Council. In Boy Scouts, he has served as the Senior Patrol Leader, Quartermaster, and Troop guide, and was elected by his troop to join the Order of the Arrow. He earned awards such as Eagle Scout, the 50 miler award and the National Camping award. He is an active member of the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Perry, where he erected the Rosary walkway as his Eagle Scout Project. He played violin with the OSU Community orchestra for two years, is the two time concertmaster of the Scissortail Honor orchestra, and the Assistant Concertmaster of the OSU Symphony Orchestra.
His favorite Band memory was placing 4th at Glenpool, and Band has taught him the virtue of patience. Next year, he plans to attend Oklahoma State University to study Music Performance on the Violin.
Serenity Beier
Serenity Faithe Beier is the daughter of Richard Beier, Chelsea Hopper, Santana, and Jeremy Keller. Her grandparents are Kevin Beier, Kimberly Davis-Clement, LaRhonda Elliott, and the late Marvin Elliott. Serenity has one younger brother, Kaden Beier, and one younger sister, Adeline Norris.
Serenity has been in color guard for four years and has participated in solo and ensembles playing clarinet. Serenity received a superior rating for her state solo and ensemble in the spring of 2025. Serenity has been in the student council for four years, the National Honor Society for 4 years, and Leadership for one year.
Band has taught her that she can do anything that she puts her mind to and that she has people who support her in every aspect of her life. Serenity's favorite band memory is getting 4th place at Blue Grey Classic marching band competition this year. Serenity has been accepted into Oklahoma State University and plans to pursue a doctorate degree in veterinary medicine.
Grant Hoffman
Grant Allan Hoffman is the son of Pete and Amy Hoffman, and the grandson of Allan and Susan Grantz and Jerry and Della Hoffman. Grant has two sisters, Makenna and Kk, and one brother, Jake.
Grant has been part of the band for 8 years. Grant has marched Sousaphone for 1 year and color guard for his final 3 years. Grant has also been in the jazz band for 2 years. He plays the trombone, saxophone, tuba, and is learning the guitar. Grant has been part of Student Council for 1 year and the National Honors Society for all 4 years.
Band has taught him to be patient and that the strongest bonds come from the friends you make, especially if you have to put up with them at marching contests. His favorite band memory was talking with his friends on the way to competitions. Grant plans to attend Oklahoma State University to major in Management Information Systems after High School.
Ava Heim
Ava Hope Heim is the daughter of Steven and Kaylea Heim. She is the granddaughter of Ray and Teresa Kukuk of Perry, and David and Melinda Heim of Covington. Ava has two siblings, Katherine and Emma.
Ava has been a member of the band for 8 years. She played the clarinet for 3 years before switching to the bass clarinet for the other 5. She was in Color Guard for 1 year and then marched bass clarinet for the other 3. She has been a part of the National Honor Society for 4 years. Ava is a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Perry.
Band has taught Ava to be more outgoing. Take in every opportunity that comes your way. Her favorite memory was winning Band Sweepstakes her Junior year. Ava will attend Oklahoma State University and pursue a degree in Agricultural Education.
Aiden Thompson
Aiden Curtis Thompson is the son of Chris and Jaymi Thompson, grandson of Sheri and the late Les Justus and Doug and Debbie Thompson, and the great grandson of Margaret and the late Glen Seeliger. Aiden has two younger brothers, Kian and Cameron.
Aiden has been in the Perry Band for eight years and the jazz band for four years playing the French horn, trumpet, mellophone, and flugelhorn. Throughout his high school band career, Aiden was selected for 5th chair French horn in the OSSBDA All-State Honor Band for 2024-2025 and 4th chair for 2025-2026, an alternate French horn for the OKMEA All-State Honor Band for 2024-2025 and 3rd chair French horn in the OKMEA All-State Wind Symphony for 2025-2026, 3rd chair French Horn for the NCDA Honor Band, and earned a Superior Rating for his OSSAA State Solo in 2025. Aiden has also been a starting member of the Academic Team for three years helping the team advance to the Area tournament for the first time in over ten years. Aiden has played for the Perry High School Baseball team for four years, which included the 2023 OSSAA Baseball Academic State Champions and the 2024 OSSAA Baseball State Runners-Up teams. Aiden has been a part of National Honor Society, Gifted and Talented, the Superintendent's Honor Roll, and the First Christian Church Youth Group all throughout high school, and was selected to represent Perry High School at the Oklahoma American Legion Boys State in 2025.
Being a part of Perry Band has taught Aiden that you can do anything as long as you work hard and put the time in. Aiden’s favorite high school memory is going to the OSSBDA All-State Honor Band with Ryan Matthiesen last year. Aiden plans to attend Oklahoma State University next year and pursue a double major in Physics and Musical Performance.
Crown Bearer & Gift Bearer
Serving as the crown bearer and gift bearer for the Coronation is Zyler Kukuk and Adeline Norris.
Zyler Kukuk
Zyler Kukuk is the son of Chris and Franky Kukuk. He is the grandson of Ray and Teresa Kukuk. Zyler is the youngest of 14 kids, 8 girls and 6 boys. He is six years old and is in Ms. Lozier’s first grade class in Morrison. Zyler loves spending time with dad and eating mac and cheese. When Zyler grows up, he wants to be a chef.
Adeline Norris
Adeline Norris is the daughter of Chelsea Hopper and James Norris. Her grandparents are Chris and Johnny Hopper. She is six years old and in Mrs. Cole's kindergarten class at Perry Elementary School. Adeline loves painting and making arts and crafts. Adeline wants to be a firefighter when she grows up.
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