Volunteer is go-to Granny for school band

Most grandmothers are one of a kind. But students in the Huntington High School marching band have an extra special granny who is not related to them but offers love, support and guidance just the same.

She is Maria Noon, and for 12 years, Noon -- known as "Granny" to all -- has been volunteering as the Blue Devils marching band uniform manager. Her tasks include taking pants measurements, ordering shoes, minding hats with plumes and jackets with gauntlets, and attending to minor mending catastrophes. But her unofficial -- and sentimental -- duties include acting as de facto grandmother.

"She's more than just the woman who takes care of the uniforms," said Justin LoScalzo, 17, a senior drum major. "She's Granny. She's awesome."

The admiration from Noon, 76, is just as strong. "They're awesome, too, and that's why I keep doing this," said the Huntington Station resident. "I love the kids. These are my grandkids. I would do anything for them."

During band season, which starts with camp in August and ends with competitions in October, Noon, a retired district cafeteria employee, works from her "closet" in the band room just about every day for at least two hours, overseeing uniforms for the 110 students.

"It's hard for me to express how much I love it: the kids, helping out, the program," Noon said. "I do whatever I can."

Brian Stellato, co-band director for six years, said when he first arrived he was surprised that only one person was handling the uniforms.

"Usually it's a job done by two or three parents," Stellato said. "She does it out of the goodness of her heart and because she loves the kids and the program."

Noon said she began working for the band when her granddaughters, Lavena and Kelly Braun, were band members. They both played the clarinet. Lavena graduated in 2004 and Kelly in 2005, but Noon's love for the students and the connection to their energy are what keep her around not only to take care of the uniforms but also to attend the band parents association meetings and help with fundraising.

"Volunteering for the band keeps me going," Noon said. "Once the season starts it's nonstop, and I love it."

'She came through'

Laura Ironman, 16, who plays the trumpet and is a drum major, said Noon is a great source of support and encouragement.

"She's always around helping us out with our uniforms," said Ironman, a junior. "She's always there in a flash with safety pins and anything we need. She's like a grandmother to all of us."

Ironman recalled that at her second competition she had a wardrobe malfunction with just minutes to spare before heading onto the field.

"My hemline fell out, and I had, like, a foot of hem hanging out," Ironman said. "But Granny was there with safety pins and duct tape. I was so worried, but she came through."

Her mother, Martha Ironman, who is co-president of the band parents association, said Noon lends a sense of calm and direction to the students.

"She gets them on task," Martha Ironman said. "They have to be responsible for the uniforms, and she keeps on them about it, and she monitors them and tells them that [their] uniform needs cleaning. She really is a grandmother to a lot of these children. And in this day and age when there are not a lot of intact, tight families, it's a wonderful thing."

'Figure of stability'

Stellato agreed, adding that Noon commands respect but is warm at the same time: "She maintains relationships with the students where, if they feel they have some kind of issue other than with the uniform, they can go to Granny. She's not just 'the uniform lady.' "

LoScalzo said he had heard the good stories about Noon before getting to the high school and found that they were all true.

"Granny is just always there when you need her," he said. "She's there to help with the uniforms and moral support. She's an all-around wonderful woman. If you are having issues about anything, you can go to her and talk about it."

Noon said retirement has crossed her mind but she has yet to make a decision on when she will hang up her scissors, tape and good advice.

"Oh, I don't know," Noon said with a chuckle when asked about retiring. "I just don't know."

Any notions by Noon to retire will be met with stiff resistance from her charges and her colleagues.

Stellato said Noon's departure would mean the loss of an excellent organizer.

"I see Granny as a figure of stability," he said. "Over the last couple of years, especially with the budget problems and not being sure if the program is continuing or knowing what we're going to have, we always know that we have Granny and she's always there."