Powdersville High School Marching Band Recognized

The Powderville High School Marching Band was recognized for bringing home the school's first 1A State Championship.

During their meeting Tuesday, Anderson District One board members and district officials recognized the band, which won the State 1A Championship last month.

Video of the band's winning performance played before the board meeting began at Powdersville High School. The meeting was held there to accommodate the band members and their parents.

Superintendent Dr. Wayne Fowler said he was fortunate enough to attend the last Powdersville High School game this season, a game held the night before the 1A State Championship.

“I was fortunate enough to see you out there, doing a great job,” Fowler told the band.

Fowler said while he admires what the band and its members do.

“I know what I like,” Fowler said. “And I liked what I saw. It was well done. You sounded good, you did everything, it looked like to me, just perfect.”

Fowler asked band parents to stand, and called for a round of applause for them.

“I admire these students for their talent, their perseverance, their hard work and everything that went into it to make this happen,” Fowler said. “But I have been watching band parents for my entire career, which has been 42 years.”

He called band parents some of “the hardest working people I have ever seen.”

“For that to happen, what you saw onscreen there, takes unbelievable coordination and time and effort,” Fowler said. “You are fortunate, band, to have these as your parents. It can't happen without them.”

He told the band their achievement, Powdersville High School's first state band championship, “will go down in the memory books.”

“That will be remembered by so many people over years,” Fowler said.

He said the band would not be successful without its leaders – Band Director Leslie Phillips, Assistant Director Nathan Hawkins and Drum Major Juliana Phillips.

“You can't get it all together without good leadership,” Fowler said.

Board Chairman Fred Alexander presented the band with a special recognition award.

“We're proud of you,” Alexander said.

Anderson County Councilman Ken Waters read a resolution that will be passed, honoring the band and its championship win.

The resolution states that council is privileged to recognize the achievements of exceptional youth.

Anderson County Council will approve the resolution during its December 4 meeting.

“I just want to commend you all and congratulate you and tell you how important you are to all of us,” Waters said.

Powdersville High Principal Dr. Chris Ferguson said he wanted to point out “something amazing about this group.”

“If you're a senior, stand up,” he asked the band.

No one stood – Powdersville High doesn't have a senior class yet.

“That means you're all coming back,” Ferguson said.