Layne Kotzur is a senior at Brazoswood High School. Layne ranks top 4 in his class and has earned numerous merit awards throughout his high school career. He is a current member of the National Honor Society (NHS), Science NHS, and Mu Alpha Theta. In middle school, Layne was a part of the Student Spaceflight Experiment Program (SSEP) where his team’s science experiment was chosen to fly to the International Space Station and be performed by onboard astronauts. This event began his passion for the STEM field and led him to join the Brazoswood Rockets program. Layne has served in this program since his sophomore year and is currently a member of the Brazoswood Goddard Rocket team.

From a very young age, Layne has had a passion for music. Layne has been a part of the Brazoswood Buccaneer band for four years and holds multiple roles within the band program. He is a bassoonist in the symphonic band and a saxophonist in the Jazz band. Layne was named the first drum major since the school’s opening in 1969 to ever serve for two years. He became a drum major his junior year and currently holds the position of Drum Major Captain his senior year. Layne’s leadership and dedication to music have been recognized through his consistent membership in the TMEA All-Region Band and All-Region Jazz Band, setting his sights high in every audition. In fact, Layne made the Texas All-State Band this year. Locally, Layne was a divisional winner last year and overall winner this year of the Whit Phillips Memorial Young Artist Competition held by the Brazosport Symphony Orchestra. He has also had the opportunity to perform with the Brazosport Symphony Orchestra for two years.

Layne will be attending Louisiana State University (LSU) where he will be able to pursue both of his passions, music and engineering. He has been invited to be in the bassoon studio at LSU and aims to dual major in Mechanical Engineering and Bassoon Performance. Geaux Layne!