Jonnie’s Goodguys is a 501c3 non-profit founded by drum corps family that educates & advocates for aortic, heart, and connective tissue related health issues.
Our organization began as a way to honor a Goodguy, Jonathan Miller. He was a Star of Indiana Drum & Bugle Corps member from 1990-1993.
In 2005, Jonathan, a 33 year old new father, collapsed at work, and died due to an aortic dissection. While not medically confirmed, Jon did have several diagnostic criteria of Marfan syndrome, a connective tissue disorder that can potentially weaken the aorta.
In 2012, another Goodguy and Bluecoats alum nearly lost his life at age 40 to a "widow maker" heart attack. Although seemingly healthy, genetically high cholesterol, known as familial hypercholesterolemia, caused him to have 100% blockage of his main artery.
Jonnie’s Goodguys has worked with The Marfan Foundation, The John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health, and The American Heart Association to spread awareness, educate, advocate, and financially support their medical research efforts.
Our beloved Drum Corps activity is what brought us all together and has given us what cannot be measured. This Scholarship program allows us to inform a wide array of people about the early detectors & risk factors of aortic, heart, and connective tissue related health issues. We encourage everyone to know your family history, and be proactive when it comes to heart health, regardless of your age.
The following guidelines apply for all scholarship applicants:* Initial application (below) must be submitted by January 31, 2025, 11:59pm EST. This is the first opportunity for the applicant to be detailed and thoughtful in his/her/their responses.
* To complete your initial application, please provide 2 letters of recommendation by February 4, 2025, 11:59 EST. These letters must come from individuals outside of the applicant's current Corps. At least one letter should come from a person outside of the marching arts. Please direct these letters via email to JonniesGoodguysScholarship@gmail.com
* Repeat applicants will need new letters of recommendation that are different from previous year(s).
* All applications & recommendation letters submitted by the above deadlines will be reviewed by our Scholarship Committee. The committee includes board members of Jonnie’s Goodguys and individuals representing past and current DCI/DCA ensembles.
* Once all applications & letters have been reviewed, the committee will select some applicants for an online video call/interview. Additional questions will be asked by committee members to get to know the applicant better. Evaluations of both the interview and the application materials will be used by the committee to make Scholarship Finalist selections.
* If an applicant is to become a finalist, their corps director will have to confirm contract status by email with Jonnie's Goodguys.
* After Scholarship finalists are chosen, future deadlines will be determined by the committee.
* Scholarship finalists will be asked to complete 3 tasks to earn their scholarship: family medical history, presentation to your corps about heart health, and a creative piece dealing with health & drum corps. All areas will be scored on a rubric that will be shared with each Finalist.
* Proof of all completed tasks must be provided prior to Jonnie's Goodguys sending any scholarship amount to your corps.
* Any earned scholarship will be paid toward finalist's 2025 drum corps dues once all requirements have been met. This payment will be made directly to the member's corps from Jonnie's Goodguys.
* Scholarship recipient must be an active marching member of a performing ensemble that will compete in the 2025 DCI/DCA Summer Tour.
* Previous scholarship recipients may re-apply if he/she remains active with a corps and continues to meet all requirements of the application process.
* All communication will be conducted via email [ JonniesGoodguysScholarship@gmail.com ]
* Scholarship Committee decisions will be final.
** All application materials, including any personal information provided during the application & finalist process, will remain confidential.
