The Marching Panthers worked tirelessly in preparation for their first invitational performance at Troy Athens High School. On Oct. 5, they arrived at their home school at noon to begin their pre-show rehearsal. Under the beating sun, the marching band took the field at 4 p.m. and performed their 2024-2025 field show, A Journey Through the Stars. The show features hit songs “Sky Full of Stars” by Coldplay, “Fly Me to the Moon” by Frank Sinatra, and a medley tune of “Never Enough” and “From Now On” from The Greatest Showman soundtrack. They placed 6th in Class B with an overall score of 74.1. “Overall, I think our performance went well. There were some mistakes, but we’ve recognized them, and they should be easy to fix in the upcoming rehearsals. I’m really excited for this season! We’re about to start learning our fourth and final tune, something we haven’t accomplished in the past few years. I hope we’ll be able to perform the full show by our last competition,” Senior Drum Major Nhevan Canete said.  

The Marching Panthers march forward in their season with the MSBOA Marching Band Festival that took place at L’anse Cruese North High School Wednesday, Oct. 9.  After the performance, the band waited patiently for the award ceremony to commence. They received an overall score of 81, earning a first division rating for the first time in six years! “When we received our division 1 rating, I felt so accomplished. It felt like a full circle moment to see the people I’ve grown with these past four years so happy about our ranking compared to our first ever competition. It’s so bittersweet knowing this will be the last year with so many people, but I’m so proud of everyone,” Assistant Drum Major Leilani Duhaylonsod said.  

Finally, on Saturday Oct. 26th, the Marching Panthers make their way up to Brandon High School for their final invitational performance. For their field show performance, including the fourth and final song “All Star” by Smashmouth, the Panthers received the “Best Color Guard Award” over Class B’s first place band, Holly High School. “Getting best guard at our last competition means the world to me. Watching my entire team improve and come together as a unit makes me so proud. Saying that I’m going to miss these girls when I go on to march in college is an understatement. It was an honor to be their section leader this season,” Color Guard Captain Faith Tucker said.