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The Bainbridge High School band participated in the Marching Band festival on Saturday in Rehobeth, Alabama, where they received superior ratings for the 34th consecutive year.

In addition, they were also awarded the Ronny Walsh Model of Excellence Award.

The band has participated in the Marching Band festival for six years, where they are judged on music performance, marching and general effect.

Drum majors, color guard and percussion also play a role and are judged on their overall performance and how they contribute to the total band performance.

The band members competed against 25 other bands from Alabama, Georgia and Florida. However, only the BHS band received the Ronny Walsh Model of Excellence Award.

BHS band director, James Sewell said this award is very prestigious and is given to the band displaying outstanding respect, dignity, character and class both on and off the field.

“I am very proud of these young ladies and gentlemen,” he continued. “They really worked hard and pushed through a lot of adversity. The band as a whole showed tremendous character and gave an amazing performance.”

Sewell wasn’t the only one proud; multiple seniors had great things to say about the experience.

“I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to showcase our band at Rehobeth,” said senior, Gracie Surratt. “I am very proud of our band program and all that we have accomplished together both on and off the field.”

Senior Austin Aldridge echoed Surratt’s statements saying, “This experience has been an extreme pleasure. All three years I’ve been able to see other great bands and get to show those other bands what makes our program special through our performance.”

Senior Hannah Sprenkle agreed and said that seeing the other bands allows for the BHS band to gain knowledge and improve their program.

While the festival was a learning experience, Sprenkle will always remember this year when they played “All of Me” during the show and the audience lit up the stands with their phone flashlights as they enjoyed the show.

With this festival out of the way, Sewell said the marching band will now shift their focus to the Washington D.C., New York and Philadelphia trip in November.

They are now beginning to work on the various performances and activities they have planned for the rest of the school year, hoping to make superior for the 35th consecutive year by January.

Sewell thanks the parents, boosters, Sheriff’s Department, teachers, administration, school staff, bus drivers, truck drivers, sponsors and the community for all of their support and the continued support in the remainder of the year to come.