By Conrad Dudderar
Associate Editor
As has become tradition, two elected Yukon school leaders bragged on Miller band members at the end of marching season.
The Pride of Yukon earned high praise from Yukon Public Schools’ Board President Suzanne Cannon and fellow longtime Board Member Leonard Wells at the Nov. 6th board meeting.
This marked Cannon’s first opportunity to attend the Oklahoma Bandmasters Association’s (OBA) 6A Marching Contest at Broken Arrow High School. It was a cold and rainy day, causing several delays before Yukon could finish their performance.
“It was amazing – it was phenomenal with all the different bands,” Cannon said. “I love marching band; watching them and listening to the music. Our program was exceptional.”
Yukon’s school board leader believes the band is often taken for granted.
“They entertain us at halftime because we’re there for the football game,” Cannon related. “Really and truly, they do everything the football team does.
“They practice hours and hours – before school and after school. Some of these kids have 12-hour days, every day. They learn teamwork. And they become part of a team. … They have that unity, and they’re all in unison. It’s just pretty phenomenal.”
Yukon’s dedicated band students typically don’t receive the recognition that Miller sports programs get, Cannon pointed out.
Wells, meanwhile, described the Pride of Yukon’s “exceptional” marching year. He hoped YPS patrons were able to see them perform – whether during the Millers’ home games or at various contests.
“They had an exceptional program, and we need to applaud them – the students, the directors and the parents that supported them,” Wells emphasized. “It was a great year for them.
“I’m very proud of them.”
The Yukon band, led by second-year director James Rivera, was extra-busy in October. Highlights included finishing third in a contest at Tulsa Union.
Yukon competed for national honors at the Bands of America Super Regional in Indianapolis, Ind., finishing 18th among 66 bands.
Pride of Yukon members earned a fourth-place finish – their highest ranking ever – at the OBA’s 6A Contest in Broken Arrow.
They rounded out the month at an Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association (OSSAA) band competition, scoring superior in all categories.
CODA HONOR BANDS
YPS students were honored by being named to the Central Oklahoma Directors Association (CODA) honor bands.
High School Honor Band – Elaina Ballje, Lorelai Findley, Luke Matthews, Hayes Dillon, Mia Zumwalt, Caleb Eneff, Leah Holbert, Emmy Gorbet, Emily Taylor, Jack Adair, Kristy McKinney, Anjalina Thomas, Carson Grant, Jacoby Francis, Hayden Roux, and Colton Cummings.
9th Grade Honor Band – Tori Millican, Quinn Mosher, Jayden Miller, Kennedy Epplin, Camila Renteria, Gracie Grant, Marcy Quintana, Brayden Hullet, Caleb Leonard, Beckett Spruill, and Phoenix Moll.
8th Grade Honor Band – Kyle Sulit, Haleigh McCollough, Dylan Freeman, Madison Moody, Selah Mann, Grayson Maxwell, Olivia Hamilton, and Reagan Barbee.
7th Grade Honor Band – Lillian McDonald, Evan Forsman, Eva Butcher, Livian Ballje, Peyton Gomez, Addalynn Short, Irena Romolor, Rachel Sparkman, Xavier Hughes, and Logan Epplin.
“Just an exceptional year,” Wells summarized. “Great kids … great program!”
