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Kenzie Ward

Senior tenor player Harrison Holloway remains at the ready during the drum break.

Fall weather is often something that many people look forward to. The crisp, cool air is a refreshing change from the stifling summer heat. However, this year’s fall weather has been full of cloudy days and rain, and Sept. 29 was no exception. On that day it was raining, and it was pouring – but nobody was snoring.  

At least, nobody in the Monarch Marching Band was snoring. On the early Saturday morning of Sept. 29, the Papillion La Vista Marching Band piled onto 4 different school buses to travel to Clarinda, Iowa, where they competed in the Southwest Iowa Band Jamboree.  

“The Clarinda competition is always the most fun because it’s an all-day thing and because we go to a different state,” senior Rachel Pham said. “We also get to hang out with each other for 12 hours. You would think that wouldn’t be fun but it’s great.” 

When the band was not performing, students were given the freedom to spend their time as they pleased. Many spent the time hanging out with friends on the buses, while others seized the opportunity to explore the area. 

“Clarinda is a beautiful town,” junior drum major Amy Roach said. “There’s antique stores, and the buildings are all very old fashioned, cliché kind of places that are really fun.” 

However, the day also had its share of hard work. Upon arrival, all members of the band had to prepare for the first portion of the competition. In this portion, each competing band marched through the streets of the town in a parade, where judges scored them in various categories, including overall sound and correct marching form.  

“The parade is the best part because we parade through the town, and everyone comes out to watch,” Pham said. “It’s really cute.”  

The second segment of the competition occurred in the evening out on a grass football field, where the Monarch Marching Band performed El Diablo de las Lomas, a show that they have been rehearsing since summertime. However, constant rain showers throughout the day made this performance extremely difficult.  

“I felt like I was going to slip right over a banana peel on the field because of the mud,” Roach said. 

Even with the unfavorable conditions, the band marched on and finished their show, ultimately receiving a score of 74 points out of 100. Their overall placement was never released, but it was revealed that the percussion section won Best Drumline.  

Although the winning band was never announced, members of the Monarch Marching Band were still able to learn and grow from their experience in Clarinda.  

“I think we’re getting better and better each time we perform, so even though the weather was a little trashy, I think we did really good,” Pham said.  

The Clarinda competition was far from ideal, but each band member was still able to walk away with cherishable memories. 

“We were soaking wet, but I still think we had the best of times, because this will be a memory that will last a lifetime,” Roach said.