EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio — After more than two decades, East Cleveland Shaw High School marching band director Donshon Wilson has announced his resignation.
Wilson announced his decision " with a heavy heart" in a letter obtained by 3News on Tuesday. In his current role with the district, Wilson served as the band director and the Director of Communications and Technology.
In his letter, Wilson does not disclose a reason for his resignation, only that he will remain in his role as Director of Communications and Technology until his contract expires on July 31.
"I will forever be a proud graduate of East Cleveland School and have spent countless days and night advocating for the student of East Cleveland, motivating students to make a commitment to further their education and encouraging the community to get involved in local matters," Wilson wrote.
During Wilson's time as director, the nationally renowned band has earned more than 250 first-place trophies and have performed for notable names including former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, former President Barack Obama, and even got to perform during the Cleveland Cavaliers' 2016 Championship parade.
The district also issued a statement Tuesday wishing Mr. Wilson the best and said that "the example he set will on among the band for years to come."
The East Cleveland City School District announces that Mr. Donshon Wilson has resigned as the director of communications and technology and the director of The Mighty Shaw High School Cardinal Marching Band. Mr. Wilson, a member of the Shaw High School Class of 1988, officially assumed the mantle of director in 2004 though his work with the Battle of the Bands dates back to 1999.
During his tenure with the band spanning more than two decades, the marching band received local, state, national, and even international acclaim performing at such venues as the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, the 2006 All American Army High School Football Game in San Antonio, annual appearances at the Mardi Gras Krewes Festival in New Orleans, the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers Championship parade, and countless other events in northeastern Ohio. Under Mr. Wilson’s leadership, the Mighty Shaw Cardinal Marching Band has earned more than 250 first place honors in local and national marching band competitions.
The district wishes Mr. Wilson the very best in his future endeavors. The road he paved and the examples he set will live on among the band for years to come. Mr. Donshon Wilson epitomizes the very best of what the Mighty Shaw Cardinal Marching Band has to offer. Once a Cardinal...always a Cardinal; you are Shaw High School, you are the definition of success.
This is a developing story. Stay with 3News for updates as they become available.
Read Wilson's full resignation later below:
Director of Human Resources:
After 24 years of service to the students of East Cleveland and with a heavy heart, I am submitting my letter of resignation as Director of Communications and Technology and as the Director of the Shaw High School Marching band. I will forever be a proud graduate of East Cleveland School and have spent countless days and night advocating for the student of East Cleveland, motivating students to make a commitment to further their education and encouraging the community to get involved in local matters. I will continue to work in my role as the Director of Communications and Technology until my contract expiration date of July 31, 2021.