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A common interest in music and friendships formed at San Marcos Academy inspired an Ace in the Hole band member to organize the first Jason Schnautz Memorial Music Fest, raising more than $9,000 for the CPT Paul W. Peña Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund.
Ronnie Huckaby, who frequently tours with George Strait and plays keyboard for Members of the Ace in the Hole Band, planned the May 16 Music Fest to honor Schnautz, a friend and country music fan, who was killed in a car accident two years ago.
Schnautz had attended San Marcos Academy from 1988-1992, becoming close friends there with Joel Hofmann, who attended SMA from 1993-1995, and Alan Cummings, a 1997 SMA graduate.
After visiting with Huckaby, Hofmann offered to host the music festival at Riley's Tavern, which he owns and operates in Hunter.
Cummings joined in the planning and suggested that proceeds from the festival could benefit the CPT Paul W. Peña Memorial Endowed Scholarship, which had been set up at the Academy shortly after CPT Peña, a 2000 SMA graduate, was killed in action in Afghanistan in January.
Eleven bands agreed to perform at the 8-hour event, including Glenn Allan, Ricky Calmbach, Dave Jorgenson, the Rusty Brothers, Beverly Hensley, Paul Eason, the Darren Kozelsky Band, Vitera, the Joel Hofmann Band, Kyle Park and Members of the Ace in the Hole Band.
Funds were raised through the $8 entry fee and from two live auctions, in which a signed George Strait guitar and other collectible items were sold.
Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que and Scores Sports Bar & Grill, both in New Braunfels, sponsored the event and provided a barbeque dinner for the more than 250 in attendance.
Huckaby, who performed in the 1992 movie Pure Country and more recently in the movie Stop Loss (2008) said that the money raised through the Music Fest “far exceeded his expectations.”
Huckaby and Hofmann presented the funds to Paul's mother, Ms. Cecilia Peña, and to San Marcos Academy representatives June 1.
The first CPT Paul W. Peña Memorial Endowed Scholarship will be presented in the fall to a SMA high school student who exhibits loyalty, integrity and leadership and represents the values of the Academy.
While the scholarship has met the required minimum for endowment, the Academy's goal is to raise $100,000.
Contributions can be made through the Academy's Development Office.
