On May 14, 2003 the Hersey Instrumental Association and the Hersey Band Alumni from the years 1970 - 1982 presented John Hersey High School with a plaque commemorating the original Hersey High School Fight Song. The following is a reproduction of that plaque.

- History of the John Hersey High School "Fight Song" -

Mr. Roland Goins, founding Principal, John Hersey High School, commissioned Mr. Donald Caneva, Hersey's first Director of Bands, to compose the music for the Hersey Fight Song. After Mr. Caneva completed writing the music, he asked for volunteers from the band to write appropriate lyrics. Kathryn Samaras, a junior and first chair flute, had an interest in writing poems and limericks and accepted the challenge. The lyrics Kathy wrote were selected as the "official" words for the Hersey Fight Song.

With a musical background of a third generation band director, Donald Caneva graduated from Lockport Township High School, Lockport, Illinois. He attended Joliet Junior College and DePaul University. While attending Joliet Junior College, Don, along with his father, organized the first instrumental music program at St. Dennis Grade School in Lockport, a position Don held for twelve years. In 1967, Don accepted an assistantship at the University of Hawaii, where he became the first individual to receive a Master's of Music Education from that university.

In 1968, Mr. Caneva was appointed the first Director of Bands at the newly constructed John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights. Upon his appointment, Mr. Roland Goins, the founding Principal of Hersey, commissioned Mr. Caneva to write the Hersey Fight Song. During his ten years at Hersey High School, the band received national recognition as one of the most outstanding instrumental music programs in the United States by the John Philip Sousa Foundation. The Hersey Band has also been placed on the "Historic Roll of Honor" of high school bands from 1960-1980.

During Mr. Caneva's tenure at Hersey, the band performed in many prestigious events including: the Tournament of Roses Parade, the Orange Bowl Parade, the Cotton Bowl Parade, the College All Star Game, and many other parade and field competitions throughout the United States, including being named Grand Champion at the International High School Music Festival in Winnipeg, Canada.

On the concert stage, the Hersey Symphonic Winds performed at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, The Midwest Music Conference, The American Bandmasters Association convention, and three times at the Northwest Band Clinic. The members of the Hersey Band were privileged to perform with some of the "Giants" in the field of music including: 'Doc' Severinsen, Arthur Fiedler, Carmen Dragon, Rafael Mendez, Louis Bellson, and many other nationally noted guest conductors from various colleges and universities.

Mr. Caneva is one of the youngest members to be elected to the very prestigious American Bandmasters Association. He presently holds the position of Chairman of the John Philip Sousa Foundation.

In 1978, Mr. Caneva moved to San Diego, California, where he organized the World of Music Festivals and became director of the Coastal Community Band of San Diego. In 2001, his Coastal Community Band won the Gold Prize at the International Alpine Music Festival Saas-Fee, Switzerland.

We all appreciate the many contributions Mr. Caneva has made to John Hersey High School, the field of music, and music education.

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Kathryn Samaras grew up in Prospect Heights, where she attended Betsy Ross Elementary School, Ann Sullivan Grade School, and MacArthur Jr. High School. She began playing flute in fifth grade and continued in band under the baton of Mr. Warren Birkett, Director of Bands at MacArthur Jr. High School.

Kathy attended Wheeling High School for two years and then, as a junior, transferred to the newly opened John Hersey High School where she played first chair flute in the Symphonic Winds, piccolo in the Marching Band, and alto flute in the Jazz Band. She was elected and served as a band officer.

Mr. Donald Caneva, Director of Bands at John Hersey High School, announced to the band that he had completed writing the music for the Hersey Fight Song and would like assistance from any band student to write the appropriate words. Kathy, an avid writer, accepted the opportunity and was honored that her words were selected. She was thrilled and felt very proud every time she heard the Hersey Fight Song played at football games, basketball games and school pep assemblies.

Kathy graduated with academic honors in 1970, and was the first recipient of the Hersey Instrumental Music Award. She graduated from the University of Illinois in 1974 with a BA in Fine and Applied Arts, and was elected to the honor society Phi Kappa Phi. Her love of music continued as she received her Master's of Music degree from the renowned VanderCook College of Music in 1985. In 1986, she received recognition as an outstanding student when she was included in Who's Who among Students in American Universities and Colleges. From 1974 until 1987, Kathy was the Assistant Band Director at Central Jr. High School in Tinley Park, Illinois for grades 5 through 8, and led the Marching Band to many first place trophies.

Kathy married Gregory Cargill in 1976. Greg and their two sons, Peter and Matthew, enjoy her concerts, as she plays with the renowned Northshore Concert Band where she has been a member since 1977 and currently serves as Secretary on the Board of Directors. Kathy performed at the Midwest National Band and Orchestra Clinic as a guest flute soloist in 1994 with the Southwest Missouri State Flute Ensemble. She is a highly respected private woodwinds teacher, and is a member and assistant director of her church choir. She has had many leading roles in local community theatre, most often performing with the Palos Village Players. She is a driving force for the Greaser Party People, having performed in and organized 20 giant "oldies" parties over the past 30 years for over 500 of her personal friends.

We are grateful to Kathy for her important contribution to John Hersey High School.

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