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Rarely does any state have the opportunity to have a husband and wife as honorees at a Hall of Fame celebration. Today, the opportunity has arisen, and we are very fortunate to have Weldon and Verna Covington standing before us. Together, this outstanding couple has invested over 70 years to the teaching of students and music education, and although they have retired, they still share their love of music with everyone.

Verna Covington was born February 22, 1915 in Austin, Texas. She received both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the University of Texas.

Verna represents those directors in our state who chose to make a career of teaching younger students. She directed the band at Fulmore Junior High in Austin for 15 year, and then rounded out her career with 19 years in the same position at Austin’s Porter Junior High.

Both Weldon and Verna had outstanding bands. They have received consistent superior ratings at UIL contests. In 1986, Austin’s newest junior high was named "Covington Junior High" after the Covingtons. This may be the only school in Texas named after band directors, and it is believed to be the first to be named after people who are still living.