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My name is Vicki and when I was in the 4th grade my older sister, Angela, got invited to march with the White House Band of Pride as an 8th grader. She had been playing French Horn since 6th grade and marched playing a Mellophone. My mom marched in high school, so it was exciting for us to have someone in our family in marching band once again!
If I wasn't with my mom at band practice watching my sister, I was helping other band members on competition days get ready. I was even in the "pit crew" at some of their performances helping hold down props when it was windy.
One of my favorite things to do was help out in the concession stand. The Band Boosters ran the concession stand for the high school games on Friday nights and middle school games on Tuesdays. I would help my mom and dad get the concession stand up and running.
Some of the competition days were long and tiring, but it was fun seeing the band get ready to perform. The band director at the time, Mr. Baker, even joked that one day I would be in the band and with all my experience, I would be directing it!
After those long days, there was nothing like spending time with your friends and eating a chocolate chip waffle at Waffle House!
During my sister's second marching season, the band made it to the TN Division II State Finals. The colorguard even got 1st place!
Following in my sister's footsteps, I joined concert band and learned how to play the clarinet in 6th grade.
I was also playing basketball at the time so wasn't really thinking about joining the marching band.
That changed my 7th grade year. I was helping my dad get things ready for band camp one morning and we overheard our guard director and band director talking about the colorguard. They were short a few members and my dad said Vicki could do it! They asked me if I would give it try and I did...and I'm still spinning today!
Joining the Band of Pride my 7th grade year, I was able to have two marching seasons with my sister! I only got to have one band camp though with her as she was at Army basic training for the summer of her Senior year. While I missed her during her final band camp, it was great having her back for marching season. We even made it back to the TN State Division II finals her Senior year and she received a Superior rating as Drum Major! She's currently an MP in the TN Army National Guard and I am super proud of her.
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