The Atlantic Coast Championships saw Youngsville High School make marked improvement.
At the band competition over the weekend in Hershey, the Eagles took second place. Cindy Scheid, band director, said the performance put the band in gold medal place.
In previous years, Scheid's group took 17th for bronze, fifth for silver and last year they placed 13th for another bronze. Katie Ward, band member, said it felt amazing to make so much improvement this year.
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Times Observer photo by Colin Kyler
Quite a haul
Field Captain Angela Renninger, left, and Drum Major Nicholas Coan hold up the trophies earned by Youngsville High School at the Atlantic Coast Championships.
To make it to ACCs, bands can qualify on points or by winning their chapters. As Chapter 8 champions, Scheid said the band was able to make the Hershey trip.
"We were excited but ready," Paige Reilly, band member, said. "We had practiced for so long."
Anthony Schipani, another band member, said the whole weekend felt like a dream. In addition to the band's overall performance, they also had the best brass group.
With that award, any brass member can take part in the Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps. As of Tuesday afternoon, Scheid said they hadn't had a chance to talk about their participation.
"We got back at 4:40 a.m. Monday," Scheid said.
At home now, the band will perform at their own school gymnasium at 7 p.m. on Wednesday. They will have a halftime review, Scheid said, in addition to awards.
Going in to ACCs, the Eagles were seeded third out of 31 bands across nine states. During their competitive season, they went undefeated with five first- place finishes.
"It is an amazing feat for a small-town band," Scheid said. "We are so proud of everything they have accomplished! Hard work truly does pay off."
For Youngsville, that work started even before classes did. According to Scheid, summer practices and two weeks of band camp prepared the band.
From 3:15 p.m. to 6 p.m. four days each week after school, Scheid said her group has perfected music and marching. She credited instructors Don Hulihan on percussion, Ashley McKuhn for front ensemble, Nathan Trimpey on woodwind and guard instructor Sandee Hulihan.