PHOTOS WERE CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER
OHS band wins three Best in Class awards
BY ANITA STIEFEL
ANITAS@
OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
OPELIKA — The Opelika High School Competition Band came away winners at the Class AAA competition held Oct. 21.
The band competed in the annual Pell City High School Marching Band Festival.
According to Band Director Will Waggoner, OHS won three Best in Class awards for drum major (Kylan Fanning), for majorettes and for percussion and placed 2nd in Class for band, color guard and dance line.
“Overall, out of 14 bands, the band as a whole scored fourth place,” Waggoner said. “I’m very proud of our students as they bring the Opelika Band Program to the next level.”
Beauregard band wins all superior ratings
CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER
BEAUREGARD— On Saturday, Oct. 21, the Beauregard High School Hornet Marching Band traveled to Wetumpka to compete in the inaugural “Clash on the Coosa” Marching Band Competition, hosted by the Wetumpka High School band and boosters.
When the day ended and the awards were presented, the Beauregard band received superior ratings from each adjudicator in every category.
Drum Major Matt Martin received a superior rating and placed second in the class. The percussion section also placed second in class receiving a superior rating. The majorettes and color guard received superior ratings. The band was judged by five adjudicators with each judge awarding the group a superior rating. The band also placed second overall in the class.
This contest, the band’s first since 2019, “was a great day in the life of our band program,” according to Beauregard Band Director John Hillsman.
“The band has demonstrated remarkable improvement this year,” he said. “It has been an amazing transformation. As a result of many hours of hard work and diligence, the band presented an outstanding performance for the audience and the adjudicators.
“Our students excelled and were rewarded for their exemplary efforts,” Hillsman said. “I am so appreciative of the hard work and dedication of our assistant directors and band staff personnel DeZayveon Dickerson, Alex Rochowski, Emily Bigler, Taylor Belich, Isabel Rodriguez and Cathy Wiggins. They each contribute to the band program immensely. They are in great part extremely responsible for the success our students experienced this past Saturday.”
Beauregard FFA headed to national competition
The Beauregard Future Farmers of America (FFA) said it is thankful for the support of the Lee County Cattlemen’s Association, Lee County Farmers Federation and Alabama state Sens. Jay Hovey and Randy Price. The Beauregard FFA Chapter will travel to Indianapolis, Indiana, for the National FFA Convention Oct. 30 through Nov. 4. The chapter has been named as a top three chapter in the FFA National Chapter Program and will compete for the top honor. The chapter will also have two members receiving the American FFA Degree, which is the highest degree a member can obtain. Pictured, from left, are Mahlon Richburg of the Lee County Cattlemen’s Association/Lee County Farmers Federation, Buddy Bruce and Blain Bruce of the Lee County Cattlemen’s Association, Beauregard FFA Officers Tanya Martinez and Michael Pope, Sen. Price, Robert Walters of the Lee County Farmers Federation, and Sen. Hovey.
Burlington celebrates grand opening with donation to Carver Primary School
Burlington Stores celebrated its grand opening at Tiger Town last weekend with a generous donation to Carver Primary School through the Adopt-A-Classroom program.
