Georgia Bridgemen Staff
Austin Merriman is the 2009 Equipment Manager for the Georgia Bridgemen. He is a 1998 graduate from Lowndes High School and Georgia Bridgemen Alumni. As a Senior Bridgemen, Austin served as the Tuba Section Leader and was the recipient of the John Phillip Sousa Band Award, recognizing outstanding dedication and musicianship.
Austin received a diploma in Industrial Electrical Technology from Valdosta Technical College in 2001 and a Bachelor of Applied Science degree from Valdosta State University in 2004. After college Austin worked as an Educational Band Representative where he learned various instrument maintenance techniques.
Austin later returned back to the electrical field where he continues working today as a Safety Representative for a local electrical contractor. Austin is married to Sarah Price Merriman, Color Guard Instructor. They have one daughter Audrey, 2.
Sarah Price Merriman is the 2009 Color Guard Instructor for the Georgia Bridgemen. She is a 2002 graduate of Lowndes High School and Georgia Bridgemen Alumni. While in high school Sarah participated in the chorus and marched on the color guard all four years. Sarah received a Bachelor of General Studies degree emphasizing in education and communications from Valdosta State University in 2008.
Currently, Sarah is employed by the Lowndes County Board of Education as a 7th grade teacher at Hahira Middle School. Sarah has also has returned to VSU to complete a Masters of Education Degree.
Sarah loves to choreograph flag-work and considers this opportunity a great honor. She is married to Austin Merriman, Equipment Manager. They have one daughter Audrey, 2.
Brittany Willis is the 2009 Dance Line Instructor for the Georgia Bridgeman; she is a 2004 graduate of Lowndes High School. Brittany also received a Bachelor of Health/Physical Education Degree from Valdosta State University in May 2009.
Brittany has danced competitively for 15 years and has won three national titles. She has been part of the National Dance Alliance for 3 years. Currently, Brittany is employed by the Lowndes County Board of Education at Westside Elementary. She is engaged to Barrett Wilkes.
Allison Leonard is the Uniform Manager for the Georgia Bridgemen for the 2009 season, and is in her third year working with the band. With the Uniform Committee, she
is responsible for fitting each
student with the hat, white dinner jacket, bow tie, vests,
and shoes that make up the Georgia Bridgemen uniform. Allison graduated from Hardaway High and Columbus State University. She is married to J. R. Leonard and is mother of Mary, 16 (junior danceline), Trey, 12, and Pate, 10.
This year, Travis Wingate is serving as Visual Consultant and Choreographer for the Georgia Bridgemen. Travis is a 2002 graduate of Lowndes High School where he was a member of the Georgia Bridgemen for 4 years, serving as Drum Major his Junior and Senior Year. In addition, he was the recipient of the John Phillip Sousa award. After graduating high school, Travis attended Valdosta State University where he obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration, Marketing Degree and a Minor in music.
From 2002-2006, Travis served as Color Guard Instructor and Visual Designer for the Georgia Bridgemen. During the 2006 and 2007 winter seasons, Travis was a member of Northgate Independent Winter Guard from Madras, Georgia under the direction of Ginger Armstrong. Currently, Travis is the drill designer for the 2009 Silver Medalist, Northgate High School Winter Guard.
Travis presently lives in Toronto, ON, Canada where he works as an Event Coordinator with the city of Toronto.
