Run Smith Run

Sweat emits from every pore.
   It's hot but not too hot, for it is only the middle of October, butt cooped up in a thick uniform for two hours may become a little uncomfortable.
   Clear skies, nothing but sun, the gorgeous colors of fall coming to bloom, and the sounds of various instruments, music, and bands fill air of campus form every corner.
   Students attending the University of Central Oklahoma are surprised to see and hear these high school students and their band openly previewing their performance before the big event. These 4A, 5A, and 6A bands from across Oklahoma have congregated for one thing and one thing only, to compete in the Oklahoma Bandmasters Association (OBA) 4A, 5a, and 6a Marching Contest. Out of twenty-four competing bands, only twelve will stay to perform once again in the final round.
   The MacArthur Highlander Regiment has been preparing all year for this event: participating in contest early morning practice, late evening practices on Tuesdays, sectionals, football game half-time shows, and much more behind the scenes. Only one week before the OBA contest the band took part in the marching contest at Konawa.
   At Konawa, they won awards against other bands for the best are 4-! competing band and over-all best music. This boosted the band's confidence in their up coming competition. Prior to their performance at OBA, some of the Regiment gave their thoughts on their over-all presentation of this year's show.
   "We've worked hard on our show this year, and I am proud of the progress we had compared to last year," said senior drum major Andre Jones.
   "I'd honestly be surprised if we didn't make finals. We had a great show, great music. and the band performs it well," senior percussion captain Nolan Vines said.
   "I've heard we barely miss finals each year, but this year we have worked hard." said freshman trombone player Christain Guzman.
   As portrayed here, the band has their hopes high for their outcome.
   The band performed, as expected, a marvelous show with an array of solos featuring senior Aaron Guthrigde on the alto saxophone, junior Andrew Aday on the trombone, sophomore Jonathon Mosesman on the trumpet, senior Nolan Vines in the percussion pit,

and senior Prudence Miller and junior Whitney Beckett showing their flashy moves on the Color Guard.
The band performed their show Fuego Cubano, a Latin nightclub theme (from the Spanish meaning Cuban fire) at 11A.M. on Saturday, October 13th. They were the eighth band to perform that day and unfortunately missed making it into the top twelve by only 1.9 points.
   Larry Hatch, the Highlander Regiment's band director since 2000, said, "This year we did great, and I am proud of the band. OBA was their best performance yet. The only thing that seems to hurt us the most is the time we perform every year." Last year the band only needed just half a point to make it into the top twelve! Tough break!
   Freshman percussion player Bethany Trapper said, "I think we did awesome this year. Those judges neede3d to open their eyes to real talent."
   "I agree," said freshman trombone player Matt Carroll. "Our band was totally cool and to not make it into finals was just wrong."
   "I'm mad I don't get to see Nolan shave his head," said junior drum major Elia Merel. "Nolan Vines promised at last year's OBA that he would shave his full head of hair if the band made finals in OBA this year." Such a disappointment!
   Recently, the band performed in the OSSAA West regional Marching Contest here in Lawton, Oklahoma at Cameron University where our school was chosen to host the event. The band was ranked on a scale of one to five, one being best, five being worst, and our of an average scoring of three different judges the Highlander regiment prevailed with a flying one!
   Next year's show is promised to be just as well all expect, SPECTACULAR! "Next year we are definitely going to make finals at OBA, " said sophomore percussion player Kathryn Parsley.
   It's enough to keep the spirit in this school high, but where would we be without the band? They make the fight song come to life, they make half-time worth anticipating, and they make the halls of MacArthur High School ring proud full of school spirit. Without the band, school spirit would diminish and become a dull thing.
   So do a band member a favor next time Don't call them geeks or nerds because they are what makes you feel the urge to jump on your feet at an event. Thank them. THANKS HIGHLANDER REGIMENT!!!!!!