The music community at Victor J Andrew High School in Orland Hills, Ill., lost one of their own in late August. Amanda Puckett, a 2012 graduate of the school, died suddenly in her sleep at Millikin University in Decatur, and tests run by the coroner concluded late last month that she died of natural causes.
“There are simply no words to make this tragedy understandable to any of us,” the band wrote on its website. “We know however, she is in her place, Eyes With Pride, and will cheer us on wherever we are and with whatever we do. We dedicate this marching season to Amanda, and every show will be performed in her honor.”
After extensive testing, which took about nine weeks, the Macon County Coroner, Michael Day, said Ms Puckett had an “undiagnosed long-term cardiac condition,” the Southtown Star reported. The Decatur Herald-Review originally reported her death, here, at which time the cause of her death was listed as “undetermined.”
According to the Herald-Review, her roommate found her unresponsive on the morning of Aug 25, and Ms Puckett was pronounced dead at 9:04 AM at Decatur Memorial Hospital. There was no sign of “overt violence” or any reason to suspect foul play, officials said.
Amanda played clarinet in the high school band and received the John Philip Sousa Award, which I received at the very same school exactly 30 years before her. She also performed in the school’s orchestra, which didn’t exist in my day, and in the choir.
Victor J Andrew High School, in remembrance and tribute, brings a marching band to the Bands of America Grand National Championships, for a 5:15 PM preliminary round performance on Friday, Nov 15. The Thunderbolt is directed by Mark Iwinski, and their performance features Nocturnes 8 and 27 by Frédéric Chopin, music from “Pollock” by Jeff Beal, and “News from Verona” by the Portico Quartet. It will be their final public performance of the season, in a show entitled “The Canvas,” a season that began with a moment of silence at the Aug 30 home opener against Bremen High School and has grown more meaningful ever since.
Amanda N Puckett, 19, of Orland Hills, Ill., died suddenly on Sunday, Aug 25, in her dorm room at Millikin University in Decatur, Ill. Amanda was the beloved daughter of Michael Sr and Deborah (nee Hermann); loving sister of Michael Jr, Timothy, and Madalyn Puckett; cherished granddaughter of Patricia Hermann, Jim and Joan Puckett, and Barbara (the late Paul) Hermann; Amanda is survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends; special roommate of Ashley. Amanda was a sophomore at Millikin University studying musical performance, and a graduate of Victor J Andrew High School, class of 2012. She is interred at Good Shepherd Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Millikin University.
