Honor received: Thorsby eighth grade band student Kandice Clayton (right) was named to the District Honor Band. She is pictured with Thorsby Director of Bands Casey Clark. (Contributed photo)

A Thorsby eighth grade band student accomplished something no other middle schooler at the school has done since 2011.

Kandice Clayton was named to the District Honor Band, becoming the first Thorsby middle school band student to earn the honor in several years—and the first of Director of Bands Casey Clark’s tenure, which began in 2013.

“I’m really proud of her for all of her achievements,” Clark said. “All-State and District Honor Band are things that each individual student takes upon themselves because it’s outside of what we do in the classroom. She took that on and was able to achieve it.”

Music was passed out in December 2015 for All-State tryouts, and students had the opportunity to rehearse over the holiday break.

Clayton was among the students that auditioned at Tuscaloosa County High School in January.

She was named one of the top 12 middle school clarinet players in District 5, which includes schools such as Clanton, Prattville and Tuscaloosa County.

The top four players were selected for the middle school All-State band.

“She was pretty close,” Clark said about Clayton. “She has a good chance of making middle school All-State next year, which would be great.”

Clayton and other local students will be part of the Chilton County Area Honor Band.

Auditions were scheduled for Thursday, and a concert is set for 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Calera High School.

The Chilton County area band includes all of Chilton County, Calera and Marbury.