Lisa Avilla-Weston was born in Santa Clara, California, the home of the Santa Clara Vanguard. Lisa was one of the neighborhood kids whose families were instrumental in helping to start the Corps. Her first year in the “B” Corps was 1971 and she moved on to the “A” Corps in 1974, her first DCI championship year. She marched from 1974 to 1977, returning in 1980 through 1981, her age-out year and another DCI world championship. What made 1981 significant to Lisa was not only that it was a championship year, but that the corps went from 7th place in 1980 to winning the DCI title, making it a monumental year for both her and the organization. Her time in the corps taught her life-long lessons such as integrity, perseverance, teamwork, and grit. She made it her goal to honor these lessons by working to instill these qualities in her students. Lisa credits drum major and dear friend Michael Zapanta, as well as staff members Charlie Anderson, Ralph Hardimon, Sheri McGinnis Aquilina, and her beloved friend, Dave Owens, for teaching her these values.

After aging out, Lisa instructed many award-winning groups. Many of her students went on to perform with organizations such as the Santa Clara Vanguard Cadets, Sacramento Mandarins, Blue Devils A and B, the Cavaliers, the Bluecoats, and her beloved Santa Clara Vanguard. One of her proudest moments was teaching the 50th Anniversary Alumni Corps and watching them come onto the field to perform at Lucas Oil Stadium in 2017.

Lisa is honored and grateful to receive the Legacy Hall of Fame award and thanks everyone who joined her “On the Road Again”.