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Georgia Bridgemen Staff
Andrea Bowen graduated from the University of Georgia in 2002 with degrees in Psychology (B.S.) and Criminal Justice (B.A). She moved to Valdosta to attend graduate school where she received a M.Ed. in Counseling in 2004. As a graduate student, Andrea conducted research on the influence of extra curriculars on academic achievement. She started her counseling career with Lowndes County Schools in 2004. In addition to counseling and working with the Bridgmen, she currently teaches Psychology at Valdosta Technical College. Andrea studied dance at Waycross Dance and Gymnastics, Broadway Dance Center in NY, and at UGA. She has been trained in Tap, Jazz, Modern, and Ballet. While in college, she taught dance and work with dance teams all over Georgia.
Andrea enjoys the creative challenge that comes with producing choreography that both works with the drill and complements the music of the Bridgemen. She says the best part of her job is empowering young ladies through dance and physical fitness.
Austin
Merriman is the 2006 Equipment Manager for the Georgia Bridgemen. He
is a 1998 graduate of LHS and marched tuba all four years. As a Senior
Bridgemen,
Austin served as Tuba Section Leader and also received the prestigious
John Philip Sousa Band Award. After high school, he received a diploma
in Industrial Electrical Technology from Valdosta Technical College.
Currently, Austin is attending VSU when he expects to graduate in December
with a Bachelor of Applied Science Degree, majoring in Technical Studies.
The 2005-2006 season will be his 12th year of service to the Bridgemen.
Austin is married to Sarah Price Merriman, Color Guard Instructor.
Sarah
Price Merriman is the 2006 Color Guard Instructor for the Georgia
Bridgemen. She is a 2002 graduate of LHS and was in chorus and color
guard all four years of high school. Currently, Sarah is attending
VSU where she is majoring in Middle Grade Education with an emphasis
in science. She loves to choreograph flag-work and considers this
opportunity a great honor. Sarah is married to Austin Merriman, Equipment
Manager.
“Ms.
Jan” has
been the Uniform Manager for the Bridgemen for the last 17 years. She
is responsible for fitting each
student with the hat, white dinner jacket, bow tie, cummerbund, suspenders,
and shoes. Ms. Jan maintains, cleans, and stores all the uniforms for
each season.
Ms. Jan is married to Charles Newton, who is also involved with the Band Boosters.
Travis
Wingate is currently attending VSU and plays Trombone on the marching
band. Travis has been playing trombone for ten years; four were with
the LHS Band. He was a Drum Major during his junior and senior years.
This is his fourth year of being on staff. In addition to working with
the Bridgemen, Travis is a staff member of Lanier County Marching Bulldogs
and Colquitt County 50th Regiment bands. where he is responsible for
writing the drills for both programs.