Goodbye &
Good Luck
"Mr. B"
 
    
   
   
     
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On Saturday, May 7th, 2005, hundreds of students, parents and alumni gathered in Union's PAC to say good bye to L. Dale Barnett, Direct or Bands, who led the Renegade Regiment for 22 years. Mr. B's Roast & Retirement Reception brought on many laughs, memories and tears throughout the evening. For all the current & former members of the Renegade Regiment "family" who were not able to attend this celebration, these pictures are provided so you too can share in this very special night for a very special man.
   
   
  
The lobby began to fill up early in the evening as attending well-wishers talked with each other and looked over the memorabilia displays. Alumni also used this time to reconnect with former RR band-mates and pose for pictures.
   
   
  
Mr. Barnett is greeted with a standing ovation as he entered the PAC. Overwhelmed with emotion, Mr. B wipes a tear from his eye.
    
   

The emcee for the evening, Darryl Baskin ('88) gets the party started!


Mr. B joins Ryan McNeill ('96) after Ryan read the Governor's proclamation that
May 7, 2005, was "L. Dale Barnett Day" in Oklahoma!
(This same proclamation was read to Mr. B the previous night at the 2005 Year End Band Banquet announcing the surprise celebration to him)
    
 
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Current RR students donned uniforms from many of the old Renegade Regiment shows and put on a humorous skit "Band Geeks Never Die"

Top 10
"Barnett-isms"

10 - Here we are.

9 - Are you using both lips?

8 - Let's get outta here!

7 - Is there a sandbox out here because everyone is just playing around!

6 - You just gotta do two things - MARCH & PLAY!

5 - One more, one more time.

4 - This isn't Phil Fairies with band accompaniment!

3 - Make it Gummy Bear Perfect.

2 - Give me chills!

And the #1 "Barnett-ism" is...

Period; Dot; Exclamation Point!

    
   
  
After announcing his retirement, Mr. B. made it clear the one thing
he was not going to miss were those bus rides. Perhaps he spoke
too soon as Dale was forced to assume the position one more time
as Donnie Staggs ('92) begins the "Roast!"
Mr. B. took a number of shots that would rival Bugs Bunny being hunted
by Elmer Fudd. Even his own cue-card boy, Ceth Barnett ('93),
was caught in the cross-hairs!
    
   
   
   


Event-Coordinator, Amy Rowin, Class of '93, began the parade of speakers who shared personal memories, funny anecdotes & heartfelt feelings for Mr. B.

Drew Massey,
RR Alumni - Class of 2002

Jim Rowin,
Past Band President
    
 

Mike Steele,
Past Band President

Daniel Wilkinson,
RR Alumni - Class of 1990
    
   

Carmen Creel,
RR Alumni - Class of 1988

Wally Thrun, Catoosa Alumni under
Mr. B. while he was the director there, delivered a personal message on
behalf of Ceth

Ken Grass, former Band Director
at Broken Arrow and current Director at University of Tulsa.
    
 
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After an open mic went around to other attendees who wanted to share their RR experiences as well, Chad Barnett ('89) had the audience laughing telling tall trombone stories from his years marching for his dad.
The slide show followed Chad's speech

Liz Steele (along w/Mike) began the gift presentation with the quilt (displayed in background) she had made for Dale out of old show T-shirts dating back to 1989.
    
   
 
Graphic Designer, Nicole Finley-McMahan ('92), created a special "Gummy Bear Perfect" poster with 22 Gummy Bears in honor of Mr. B's 22 years of service at Union. Posters were available for purchase in the lobby with all proceeds going to the scholarship fund setup in Mr. Barnett's name.
Posters cost $5.00 and will remain on sale in the band room, as well as
Tulsa Band, through the end of the year. Alumni interested in this poster
can e-mail Amy Rowin or contact Priscilla
Sakmary (priscilla.sakmary@eds.com 918-271-2425) for details.
- - Packing & shipping charges will be added as needed - -
   
   

 

 

 

 


Other gift presenters not pictured were Mike Carpenter and David Ward, who gave Mr. B. two DVD's with all the RR shows dating back to 1994, and Kathy Summers presented a journal of personal "music" from many of the Junior class.

Mr. B. was also presented with two granite plaques with his image etched commemorating his years of service.
One plaque is for his mantle and
the other will remain on display in the Fine Arts wing.

Amy Rowin presents Dale with the most precious gift of the evening - A custom made ring with elements reflecting Union, the Renegade Regiment and his many years of dedicated service.
    
   
  
As the evening drew to a close, it was time for Mr. B. to share some stories and thoughts of his own.
Choking back his emotion, Dale spoke of how moved he was by this special night
and all those who came to bid him farewell.
    
 



Before adjourning to the lobby for cake and refreshments,
Mr. B. was requested to lead everyone in the PAC
(one more, one more time)
in his famous "Here we are" pre-competition speech


PERIOD; DOT; EXCLAMATION POINT!
    
 

Thank you, L. Dale Barnett, for your dedication and contributions to
our students, and this very special band program known as the Renegade Regiment!