The marching band performs nearly every week during the fall at football games and competitions. In recent years, their scores at competitions have seen an increase thanks to Mr. Lee’s efforts and the appointment of Mr. Doss, the new assistant director.

“It’s difficult to deal with the amount of stress and pressure you have at competitions,” sophomore Mika Jagoda said. “Ever since Mr. Doss came around, our drive to improve has increased a lot.”​

With frequent competitions and football game performances, the marching band is pushed to improve and refine its performances.

“[The hardest part of marching band] is the practices that we have to do every week, either in the hot or cold, and getting through that week mentally,” section leader Emily Li said. “There are times after school where I’m exhausted and like, ‘can I just go home and not go to band practice?’ But I still stay because I want to make my mark in the band.”

Band members have pushed themselves through the challenge of weekly performances under Friday night’s lights, maintaining resilience through the difficult adjustment of the season starting.

“It was really hard in the beginning, getting in that mindset that we need to rehearse before the football game,” drum major Mars Kinkopf said. “It’s a very mentally draining activity, so it takes a lot of focus, not only during rehearsal, but during every second that you have.”

Despite the pressure, marching band members support each other to push through. The band has a large community that fosters supporting teammates. ​

“Marching band, it’s not easy at all,” Jagoda said. “But what makes it worth it is hanging out with all the people you love. The drive to continue to get better is what makes it worth it, and actually seeing results is amazing.”