Media contact: Yvonne Taunton
Gabrielle Moore and Kennedy Riles were appointed to the first class of the Winter Garden International Future Leaders Program. Two University of Alabama at Birmingham students have been awarded first-of-their-kind honors from Winter Guard International Sport of the Arts.
Gabrielle Moore, a public health major in the School of Public Health, and Kennedy Riles, a business marketing major in the Collat School of Business, are performers in the Birmingham-based Divenire Winter Guard program who were appointed to the first class of the WGI Future Leaders Program. The program will focus on mentorship and ambassadorship to up-and-coming performers across WGI membership.
Riles has also been selected as the first recipient of the WGI Emerging Voices Award, a community-funded award that provides an opportunity for outstanding minority performers who show promise as beacons of change in their community and WGI.
Moore is a member of the UAB Marching Blazers in the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Music.
Their dedication to growth and change is something that will continue to impact Divenire Winter Guard, WGI and the community, says Patrick Nolen Kava, executive director of Divenire Winter Guard.
“I am both ecstatic and proud of Kennedy and Gabrielle,” Kava said. “I have had the privilege of watching these two grow into strong, empowered women who are searching to make a difference. Representation is important, and it is humbling to know that Kennedy and Gabrielle will be that guiding light for others.”
WGI is the world’s premier organization producing indoor color guard, percussion and winds competitions. As a nonprofit youth organization, WGI also serves as the governing body for the indoor color guard, percussion and winds activities.