WVHS group to give preview of parade routine
A marching band celebration is set to fill West Valley’s air with music in 10 days to thank the community for sending 70 students to Washington, D.C.
West Valley’s Eagle Marching Band has scheduled an April 4 thank-you performance for the community, parents and supporters just before traveling to the 2006 National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade. The group plans to perform the parade routine at 10 a.m. in the parking lot area of the West Valley School District Administrative Building, 2805 N. Argonne Road.
The band will give a sneak preview of pretty much what they will do in Washington, D.C., on April 8, according to Jim Loucks, band director. The group, including the school’s cheerleaders and about 25 parents and staff, will leave April 4 and return April 9.
“The students have worked hard and we’re focusing on the parade now,” said Loucks. “We have lots of extra rehearsals coming up.”
The group raised more than $100,000 to go.
Loucks said the students will be in D.C. long enough to take in some sights, including Congress in session. “We have gallery passes. We’re working on lots of fun activities.”
“They only chose eight bands in the whole nation for the Cherry Blossom Festival Parade. We’re traveling the farthest.”
U-Hi students raise big bucks
More than 60 University High School students helped raise $4,850 for the Big Brothers and Big Sisters mentoring program.
The group of students included those from the football team, leadership and honor society. This is the ninth year that U-Hi students have participated in the program’s fund-raising. School staff members involved this year include Joe Turman, Mike Ganey and Alexis Carter.
Freeman band, choir perform
The Freeman honor band and choir recently performed at the Opera House. The show this past Monday included the Freeman Junior High/High School Bi-County honor band and choir.
To perform, musicians must submit an audition tape and then be selected by a panel of judges. Once selected, the students were responsible for learning the music on their own prior to the first rehearsal.
The Freeman musicians joined students from Almira, Davenport, Harrington, Liberty, Lind, Odessa, Reardan, Ritzville, Sprague, Lamont and Wilbur-Creston for two large group rehearsals. Students who performed include: Pat Morphy, Delia Lovell, Greta Underhill, Melissa Hart, Shannon Lyons, Emily Stickel, Jenna Lee, Matt Floyd, Cameron Floch, Joshua Grandinetti, Brian Hart, Elizabeth Parker, Royce Robinson, Patric Spence, Trisha Burton, Nate Calvert, Kaitlin Engdahl, Peter Olmsted, Hilary Sander, Greg Malm, Chelsey Campbell, David Helberg, Nicole Davis, Stacy Sainsbury, Miranda Pierce, Andy Nonnenmacher, Jesica Jackson, Brooke Martin, Melanie Frankart, Kendra Engdahl, Danika Schneider, Brian Lee and Ladell Malm.