The Lytle High School Band celebrated a year of achievement and recognized student excellence during its Annual Band Banquet and Awards Ceremony held May 15 at the Lytle Community Center. The evening included the announcement of the 2026-2027 student leadership team, recognition of outstanding musicians, and a special tribute to graduating seniors.
The following students were announced as the new Pirate Band leaders for the 2026-2027 school year:
HS Drum Head Major: Madelyn Maldonado
HS Drum Assistant Major: Emma Emery
HS Drum Assistant Major: Daniella Rangel
Color Guard Captain: Journee Mendoza
Color Guard Lieutenant: Haylee Ward
Color Guard Lieutenant: Lily Morales
Leadership awards were also presented to students for their dedication and service during the 2025-2026 school year.
Leadership Awards
HS Drum Head Major: Collin Sprenger
HS Drum Assistant Major: Nadia Daniels
HS Drum Assistant Major: Camila Vega
Color Guard Captain: Journee Mendoza
Color Guard Lieutenant: Haylee Ward
Color Guard Lieutenant: Lily Morales
Woodwind Captain: Nadia Daniels
Woodwind Drill Instructor: Brooke Tollett
Woodwind Drill Instructor: Emiliano Cardenas
Brass Captain: Koby Lara
Brass Drill Instructor: Gabi Cortez
Brass Drill Instructor: Timothy Gutierrez
Section Leaders
Flute: Orlando Gutierrez
Clarinet: Julyana Frausto
Saxophones and Low Reeds: Emma Emery
High Brass: Madelyn Maldonado
High Brass: Auslyn Beazer
Low Brass: Lidon Hernandez
Drumline: Nevaeh Kassin
Front Ensemble: Taryn McDonald
Outstanding Musician Awards
Freshman: Maddi Aguinaga
Freshman: Jaden Rios
Sophomore: Bella Cepeda
Junior: Lidon Hernandez
Senior: Auslyn Beazer
Woodwind: Emma Emery
Brass: Koby Lara
Percussion: Taryn McDonald
Most Improved Awards
Most Improved Wind: Daniella Rangel
Most Improved Percussion: Jaxon Hunt
Most Improved Percussion: David Aaron Robles-Huntsucker
The banquet also honored the graduating senior band members for their years of dedication to the Pirate Band program:
Eleah Avelar
Auslyn Beazer
Ashley Bowman
Kellyahn Castano
Nadia Daniels
Alexandra Dominguez
Andrea Garza
Timothy Gutierrez
Koby Lara
Blue Lopez
Taryn McDonald
Isabella Reyes
Isabella Sewell
Collin Sprenger
The evening included the presentation of the prestigious John Philip Sousa Award to Nadia Daniels. Introduced in 1955, the award is considered the highest national honor a high school band student can receive and recognizes superior musicianship, leadership, dependability, and loyalty.
Congratulations to all of the Pirate Band members on a successful year and best wishes to the new student leaders as they prepare for the upcoming school year.
Photos from the event can be viewed online at this link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/PNtWiGMEetCnpvoN6