The Seaman Marching band traveled to Independence, Kansas, for the Neewollah band competition last Saturday, Oct. 31. Neewollah (Halloween backwards) is the oldest and largest annual celebration in Kansas, having been established in 1919. The small town of Independence hosts over 75,000 people for the ten-day festivities. There are carnivals, bandstands, and parades among other fun activities.
Students arrived at school and headed out to Independence. The marching band parade began at 11:00 A.M., and Seaman marched at 5:38. At the awards assembly they were announced 5A winners! Lawrence High School took Best in Show, along with Best Drum Major, while Buhler High School attained Best Color Guard and Best Drum Line.
“We put so much time and effort into this show, anticipating the moment when our whole band was waiting for the announcement of who won 5A. The moment that our high school was announced as winner was euphoric because it was then that we knew that we had prepared, performed, and prevailed!” exclaimed parade drum major and clarinet section leader, junior Abra Pittman.
After an exhausting and warmer-than-planned-for day marching, the band wrapped things up by going to Yates Center for a pizza dinner.