SHS Senior Kaitlin Modaff Named Recipient of NESBA Ed Dennon Memorial Scholarship
Salem High School Marching Band Places Third at NESBA Championship
SALEM (Nov. 4, 2026) – Senior flautist/vocalist Kaitlin Modaff was named the recipient of the Ed Dennon Memorial Scholarship Award Sunday to highlight the Salem High School Marching Band and Colorguard at the New England Scholastic Bands Association (NESBA) Championship Sunday at Harvard Stadium.
Having won the NESBA Division 4 championship last year and the Division 3 title in 2024, SHS placed third Sunday with a season-high score of 93.96 behind champion New Bedford High School (95.80) and Westbrook (Maine) High School (94.00).
The SHS Colorguard received the High Caption Award for Best Colorguard, marking its third straight fall season it received the honor.
The Ed Dennon Memorial Scholarship is presented to a graduating senior for their contributions to their school’s music program and to NESBA, as well as their musical and academic awards, honors, or achievements. The scholarship covers more than 40 participating bands throughout New England.
Ms. Modaff is the second student-musician at SHS to earn a NESBA scholarship within the last 10 years. Jeanne Dunlap ‘18, an elementary music teacher at Lynn Public Schools and a percussion instructor at SPS, won in 2018.
“I was very surprised. I was hoping it would be someone from our school, since I think we have a lot of worthy applicants, but I was both thrilled and shocked that it was me who ended up winning it,” Ms. Modaff said. “I am proud to have received this honor given that this is a statewide scholarship with many eligible seniors. It definitely goes towards the top of my list.
“I am grateful to be a part of a program with so many hardworking people, including both students and adults, and I am proud to help represent the school,” she added.
The honor is the latest for Ms. Modaff, who has enjoyed several plaudits in her years at SHS. In February, she was named to the Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA) All-State Festival as a vocalist for the second straight year, and performed with the Soprano 1 and 2, Alto 1 and 2 (SSAA). Previously, she had been named to the MMEA Northeastern District Festival for the second straight year.
Just prior to last year’s announcement of last year’s Northeast District honors, Ms. Modaff was inducted into the SHS Tri-M Music Honor Society.
“Kaitlin has every reason to boast about her talents: she is one of the best musicians to come through our program in the last 20 years and also one of the most academically advanced,” said Ben Chertok, Coordinator of Music at Salem Public Schools and the SHS Marching Band Director.
Outside of music, Ms. Modaff earned the State Seal of Biliteracy Language Opportunity Coalition Award, presented to scholars who scored 455 or higher on the MCAS with intermediate low-range and above in their partner language (Spanish).
“In spite of all of these accomplishments, what impresses me most about Kaitlin is her incredibly even temperament,” Mr. Chertok added. “Where most would brag, she chooses the path of humility. She finds joy in promoting others and their successes and is always one of the first to offer a helping hand. She sets appropriate limits for what she undertakes to ensure that she can give 100% of herself to everything she does. She understands how her contributions benefit the organization and balances her own goals with the needs of the moment. Her smile and gentle tone bring warmth to each environment and are embodiments of her genuine personality.”
Though undecided on a college, Ms. Modaff plans to study vocal performance. She is the daughter of Jessica Modaff of Salem and Matthew Modaff of Groveland.
About Salem Public Schools
Salem Public Schools is an urban public school district in Salem, Massachusetts, a small, diverse city with a proud maritime and immigrant history. Our leaders and our teachers are passionate about education and understand the urgency of improving student achievement with equity and social-emotional needs as the lens through which we view our work. We respect and value the racial, cultural, and linguistic diversity of our students and their families, and have a strong commitment to the Salem community. Salem Public Schools staff unconditionally serves each of our 4,000 students across 11 schools regardless of ability or language.
