ELLICOTT CITY, Md. (WJZ)—A high school band member in Ellicott City received a top honor from the Army. 

Monique Griego has more on his spot in this year’s Army All American Bowl. 

In front of a crowd of supporters, Howard High School senior Nick Keller accepted the all important jacket he’ll wear in the Army’s All American Bowl. 

“I’m really happy I got this opportunity to perform in San Antonio,” Keller said.

A trumpet player, he is one of 125 marching band students selected from across the country to play in the game’s halftime show.

The bowl, which features high school football standouts, is broadcast on national television.

“This is a very elite performance opportunity to perform in front of entire country,” said Chris Campbell, band director.

For Keller’s parents, this recognition is a long time coming.

“He picked up the trumpet in fourth-grade and took off ever since then,” said his mom Trish Keller.

His mother is the one who gave him the news.

“She started yelling my name, and at first I thought she was angry at me,” Nick Keller recalled.

But then his mom showed him an email saying he’d be heading to San Antonio.

“When he read it he was very excited like ‘Woo hoo, we made it,’” Trish Keller said.

While Nick Keller is still shocked to be receiving all this attention, those who know him say he deserves it and they can’t wait to see him play with the best of the best.

“This is a big deal, a big honor for him, and we can’t wait until we go to San Antonio,” Trish Keller said.

The Army All American Bowl takes place Jan. 7 in Texas.