• Whiz Kid: Jacob Spiegel
• Nominated By: Wentzville R-IV School District
• Accomplishment: Spiegel, a junior at Wentzville Holt High School, has been selected as first chair trumpet in the Missouri All-State Band.
• Key To Awesomeness: In December, over 1,000 students from across Missouri met at Hickman High School in Columbia to audition for the honor of participating in the top honor band in the state. Only 108 students are accepted into this elite ensemble.

"I’ve been playing trumpet since the sixth grade, both my Dad and my uncle are trumpet players, so it sort of runs in the family," said Spiegel. "After the audition, when they told me I had the choice between first chair band and first chair orchestra, I did not know what to say, I could not find the words. It’s just a huge honor, and I’m so excited to do it."

The band will meet, rehearse, and perform at the Missouri Music Educators Association Conference held Jan. 25-28 at Tan-Tar-A Resort, Lake of the Ozarks. The conductor and clinician for the 2011-2012 Missouri All-State Band is Dr. Glenn Price.

Jacob is the son of Marcus and Michelle Spiegel of Wentzville.