Drum major and color guard tryouts were concluded on Apr 24, 2024. Following the auditions, the results were posted 7:02 p.m. that night on the Hornet Band Facebook page announcing the future 2024-2025 Drum Major Emma Hughes and 2024 color guard members: Callie Jones, Lola Herrington (not pictured), and Makensie Collins, along with the Color Guard Captain Chloe Rizo.

Members of the Mighty Hornet Band have worked extremely hard, and as our school year comes to a close and marching season inches closer, it’s time to reward their hard work with high value leadership positions in the band and color guard. Each candidate had to master specific skills, aside from playing instruments in the band, in order to be selected for color guard and to be the drum major.

“I had to spend a lot of my time learning to conduct, march drills, practice vocal commands, salutes, and become a more outspoken and confident person,” Hughes said. “The practicing process was definitely not an easy one.”

With these new challenges, the contenders had to think about what they were going to improve upon and if they were going to follow in the footsteps of the past leaders of the Hornet Band and color guard.

“For the most part, I would like to keep guard the same, but we could be more in sync and on time,” Rizo said. “Since we consist of mostly veterans, I believe we have a better chance of staying in sync.”

These hardworking students where not chosen just because of their performance. They where also chosen due to how great of a leader they are. This goes to show how important leadership is within the organization. Without competent leaders, many would struggle to find a way into places they never before imagined.