On Saturday, December 12, the Pirate Band traveled to Calallen High School (Corpus Christi) to close out what has been a crazy and very challenging UIL Marching season. In keeping with the contest COVID mitigation protocols, we had to perform and then leave the contest site. We were back home before the final band of the contest had even performed. But just before 5:30 PM, we received word from Mr. Keown who remained in Calallen as our representative at the awards that the Pirate Band had placed 4th at the contest and had been named an Area Finalist! This was by far our highest ranking ever at Area, as well as our first time as a Finalist. (Unfortunately, UIL had decided months ago that the final round would be canceled at all Area and State Marching events, and the prelim rankings would stand as the final rankings, so we did not actually march in the finals).
My thanks go to all the same people as in my email after the Region contest in November, with a special thanks to Mr. Cross and Mr. Esquibel in the transportation department for rescuing us when we had two tires blow out on the band trailer less than 20 miles from home! Neither of them were at home, but they made the calls, used their connections and had us quickly back on our way.
Special thanks to the band members and staff for working so hard this year. It was never easy; we even had to compete Saturday without two of our band members who had to go into quarantine. It is amazing to me that even with these late challenges, the band was able to achieve something they had never done before. I am truly blessed to work with the great band staff and students of this organization!