For those new to this cause, Andy Damery was a 2003 graduate of Sun Valley High School (SVHS) in Indian Trail, NC, and he was active in the SVHS band program. Andy met his future wife, Cassie Cross, at SVHS, and Cassie was also active in the band program. Following graduation from SVHS, Andy and Cassie married, and they were blessed with a beautiful daughter, Payton. Payton is now in the 9th grade and plays the flute in the Sun Valley High School band. As an accomplished musician, Andy continued to follow his musical passions after high school graduation. He played the drums in two bands while also maintaining a full-time job. While playing the drums during band practice in January of 2016, Andy suffered a massive stroke and passed away at the age of 30. Andy was being treated for A-Fib at the time and is believed to have had an undetected heart defect.

This scholarship fund was established to honor Andy's passion for music. To honor his memory, a $1,000.00 scholarship is awarded every spring to a SVHS senior band student who shares Andy’s passion for music and is pursuing higher education.