The marching band honored its senior class on Nov. 20 during Senior Night, celebrating the contributions of students who have spent years shaping the program. The event featured the seniors’ final home-field performance before the group headed to Fresno for the upcoming championships.
Program coordinator Alec Khalid said the evening was bittersweet because he has known the students throughout their high school careers. He watched them grow from freshmen to seniors, developing both their performance skills and character, he said.
“They’re the class that showed they can endure any change. Khalid said. They stayed dedicated to their craft no matter what happened,”.
Senior Night is a way to celebrate the work of seniors and their time in the program. Senior Sree Kotha said.
“My last run on the field is something I’ll remember forever,” Kotha said. “It felt like everything we’ve worked for finally came together.”
The seniors’ growth is evident in their skill with instruments, marching, and color guard techniques, Khalid said. Feedback from the audience, including alumni and families, was very positive.
“This is one of their best performances this year,” Khalid said. “I’m excited to see them take this show down to Fresno for their grand championships this weekend.”
The seniors’ departure will be a noticeable change for the band, Junior Kai Chen Huang said.
“These seniors are very unique, and they are definitely irreplaceable,” Huang said.
He added that the Senior Night performance served as preparation for Fresno.
“This is a good chance to practice before championships, especially because last year’s Senior Night was canceled due to rain,” Huang said.
Band Director Kylie Ward was sad to see the seniors leave, but is also proud of their accomplishments, she said.
“This is my first year here, and I know the first group of students you work with is always the one you remember the most,” Ward said. “They really welcomed everyone and treated every success as a team success.”
Younger members of the band have learned dedication, patience, and loyalty from the seniors, Ward said.
“They’ve learned what it means to be a part of something bigger and how to work as a team,” Ward said. “They’ve definitely learned how to be better musicians and better friends.”
Senior Alana Santos said marching band taught her confidence and helped her connect with others.
“When I think of Senior Night, I think of honoring all the seniors and all the hard work they put in,” Santos said.
Khalid said the senior class leaves a legacy of endurance and dedication.
“They can come out on this field and perform no matter what happens,” Khalid said.
Ward said their teamwork and mentorship will continue to influence the younger members.
“They set an example for dedication and loyalty that will carry on,” Ward said.
Santos said she will miss the staff and friends she made over the past four years.
“The people around me helped me grow each year,” Santos said. Marching band challenges are part of what makes the program rewarding, she added.
“Even though marching band is hard, the time and effort you put in will be worth it in the end,” Santos said.
Her favorite years were when she felt closest to her peers and most comfortable being herself, Santos said. “I realized that I should be myself and not be embarrassed,” she said.
Huang said the seniors taught him everything he knows about marching and playing his instrument.
“They’re the people I’ve marched with the longest, and I’m really grateful for them,” he said.
Taking on the role of an upperclassman next year will require helping freshmen and maintaining the program’s community, Huang said.
“I will definitely be continuing, Huang said. Being an upperclassman, we already know the basics of marching, so we can use the time to help people,” Huang said.
Kotha said the night reminded her of the strong connections formed in the program.
“The band isn’t just about music; it’s about the people,” Kotha said.
