Oxnard Union High School District Hosts Bands Celebration
"Stella Maris is the term that references Polaris, the North Star, symbolically the role is the star that protects and guides. We would like to dedicate the performance of this piece to the late Mr. Robert C. Borneman, a longtime teacher at Oxnard High School that passed away just a few weeks ago and we miss dearly," said Principal Richard Urias, "Mr. Borneman was our academic decathlon coach and brought seven county championships and two state championships to Oxnard High School and many, many students have visited with me in the last month to tell me about the motivation that he provided them to get to college and that he also equipped them to succeed when they got there."
Oxnard High School Band Director Andre Spence called Mr. Borneman "brilliant." Mr. Spence, an Oxnard High graduate, said Mr. Borneman was like a light for students who helped prepare them for the real world and higher education.
Mr. Spence was also recognized during the celebration for his recent award. He received the Bryon Hoyt / Don Schmeer Band Educator Award from the California Music Educators Association 2022-2023 school year.
"Kids feel great about it because if it wasn't for them, I wouldn't have gotten it," said Mr. Spence, "So, I let them know that this is their award, too."
While introducing the "Mighty Swarm" Principal Urias told the audience that the band under the direction of Mr. Spence not only opened for Grammy winner Anderson Paak, but has 2000 likes on his Tik Tok page. Mr. Urias told the students from all the schools that music is a gift they give to themselves that they can give to others.

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