The Mighty Marching Jaguars from New Manchester High School had the experience of a lifetime marching in the Magic City Classic Parade on Oct. 30.
The annual parade was a kickoff to the huge rivalry game between the Alabama State University Hornets and the Alabama A&M Bulldogs, two premier Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in both football and band.
The 85-member band made the trip to Birmingham after going through an extensive application process and receiving an invitation to the prestigious event.
Douglas County Board of Education Chair Tracy Rookard was at the school for band practice on Oct. 28 to share encouraging words with the band members. As a member of the Alabama A&M Marching Maroon and White for four years, Ms. Rookard knows the value of being a band member and credits the program with having a large role in shaping her into the person she is today.
“Being in a musical program is a rewarding experience,” said Rookard. “It reinforces mathematics, language arts, communication and discipline. Many musicians find themselves excelling academically because of the blended rigor and creativity they are required to employ on a daily basis.”
Ms. Rookard, a 1991 graduate of her beloved Alabama A&M, played both the flute and piccolo.
In addition to the excitement, camaraderie, and creative benefits that participation in a college band offers, the experience also paid off for Ms. Rookard in other ways.
“Although I did not major or minor in music, my band scholarship paid for 80% of my university fees,” Rookard said.
NMHS Band Director Marcus Chester said that participating in the parade was a great reward for his students who stayed with the band through the challenges of the pandemic last year.
“Our goal was to make this year better, by any means necessary,” he said. “It is a testament to the tenacity and resilience of the NMHS band students to want to be better and continue to move forward.”
Ms. Rookard is pictured above at the NMHS band's Oct. 28 practice.