By Jan Galletta
Staff Writer
Sometimes, the legacy of having won a championship of any sort can last a lifetime.
If you look closely, you'll find winners everywhere. They're the ones proudly presiding at podiums, winner's circles and medals stands, wearing tiaras or holding trophies aloft.
But apart from physical and intellectual gifts, they're often recognizable by their drive for success and ability to persevere.
They are champions, and for at least one shining moment in time, they're the best at what they do.
High-flying goal
Grandson of the man who invented the automotive wrecker, Jerry Holmes grew up in a family that was familiar with a variety of vehicles. Aircraft were his passion, and he earned a pilot's license at age 17, later spending a two-year stint in the U.S. Air Force.
The attraction stemmed "from building model airplanes as a child," said the Elder Mountain man, now 75. "There was a time when I thought I'd like to be a fighter pilot."
But the demands of career and child-rearing sent his aviation interest into dormancy until he sold his wrecking company in 1987. He resumed flying and by the early 1990s was drawn to seaplanes.
After flying single-engine seaplanes a few years, he wanted to try the twin-engine variety, which hadn't been built since World War II. When he bought a cabin-class military transport seaplane, it led to a restoration flight of fancy that landed him an Experimental Aircraft Association championship.
"I chose a Grumman Goose that was built in 1943 and originally used by the British RAF through the lend-lease program," he said of his 1992 purchase. "I spent two and a half years restoring it."
Ranging from an avionics update to new paint and a revamped interior, the painstaking effort paid off when he topped dozens of competitors to win the EAA's 1995 Seaplanes Grand Championship.
"I'd never won anything before and was quite taken aback," he said. "People stood and applauded. They asked me to say a little something. I don't remember what I said, but I was very proud."
Mr. Holmes said that until he sold the prize-winning aircraft years later, he enjoyed flying his grandchildren in it.
"I have fond memories of it," he said. "I felt I was a young and confident pilot."
Marching to a different drum
Pianist, bassoonist and clarinetist Tracey Hill capped a long chronology of musicianship kudos when the Clarksville, Tenn., native's high school band snared the county championship. A freshman at the time, she went on to be the award-winning drum major of the 80-member unit three years in a row.
"Being a leader was rough; I had to learn responsibility at a young age," said the Chattanooga woman, now 37, "but I was very goal-oriented and motivated. I felt I had to set an example."
The same discipline and drive that served her well in the band room helped her succeed at other pursuits. She earned plaudits as everything from a spelling-bee whiz to a Girls State representative. Recruited by several colleges, she accepted a University of Tennessee at Chattanooga scholarship.
Ms. Hill is in her 15th year as band director at Brainerd High School, where she's grooming new titleholders. Under her tutelage, the marching Panthers' enviable accomplishments have included first-place wins at major competitions in Memphis, Jackson and Chattanooga.
She said those honors are more meaningful to her than her own achievements as a band member.
"They call me, 'Lucifer,' because I have such high expectations for them," she said of her students.
"I believe in giving 100 percent, and when they succeed, it makes me feel good about my career."
Her legacy as a champion may soon involve an even more visible example of torch-passing.
"This year, one of my former students will graduate from Tennessee State University," she said.
"She'll be a band director."
Song of success
Nearing completion of her graduate-school studies, Jan Cochrane wasn't quite ready to plunge into the music-teaching career for which she'd prepared. She said she tried out for Miss Chattanooga in 1973, reasoning the role would permit her to continue the singing engagements she'd long enjoyed.
"I guess I'd always dreamed of being Miss America," said the Brainerd woman, 56, who teaches voice and music appreciation at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and Southern Adventist University, "but it was the first, and only, pageant I ever entered. I worked hard for it."
The mezzo soprano invested months training with a dance-and-movement coach, along with perfecting her delivery of the "Porgy and Bess" selection "My Man Is Gone," which she'd chosen to perform in the contest at the Tivoli Theatre. She made two dresses for it, including an evening gown.
First named winner of the talent competition, she followed up that honor with her coronation as Miss Chattanooga 1974. A few months later, she finished third in the Miss Tennessee pageant.
She said her yearlong reign entailed ribbon-cutting events and singing dates at civic clubs, dinners and myriad gatherings. In keeping with the era, she rose two hours early to do her hair and makeup.
"It was quite busy; it wasn't all happy-go-lucky," she recalled, "but looking back on it, it was a good experience in learning to deal with different people in different places and in different circumstances.
"It had a positive impact on my self-esteem. As I've gotten older, I see it was a growth experience."
A hold on a victory baton
Lexie King was 4 when she found, in a corner of the closet, a baton that belonged to her mother, a former twirling champion. Curiosity piqued, she picked it up and has rarely put it down since, she said.
Coached by a prior Majorette Queen of America, Lexie, at age 11, has a list of twirling titles almost as long as her arm: 2003 Miniature Majorette Princess of America, 2005 Wee Majorette Princess of America, 2007 Little Majorette Princess of America and 2008 Petite Majorette Princess of America.
"I practice a lot, but it's worth it," said the Westview Elementary fifth-grader. "Little kids look up to me, and what pushes me to do better is all the other people (competing majorettes)."
Among the children who see her as a role model is her 9-year-old sister, Tori. The younger girl said, "I was twirling for a while, but I stopped. When Lexie won her first national title, I picked it back up."
Tori, a Westview Elementary fourth-grader, has since earned some twirling titles herself, including 2005 Miniature Majorette Princess of America and 2007 Wee Majorette Princess of America.
But the youngster's most recent accolade carried particular poignancy when, during the Drum Majorettes of America's National Championship at Gardener Webb University, the outgoing Little Majorette Princess of America, Lexie, handed over her 2007 title to the 2008 champion, Tori.
"There have never been two sisters to hold even one title together," said Risa King of her daughters' history-making feat.
"This will be the third time the sisters will hold national titles together."
E-mail Jan Galletta at jgalletta@timesfreepress.com
