Dear Parkway West Students & Parents,

I want to give a HUGE thank you for all your work this weekend! This has been a record-setting several days for everyone involved with the marching band. Not only do I appreciate the time and hard work you have contributed, but also the spirit in which you so willingly served the Parkway West community. 

It began early Friday morning with our preparations for the televised pep rally on KTVI Channel 2. Students arrived in uniform ready to warm up at 6:00am and helped the percussion section transport the percussion equipment to the stadium for the pep rally. It is great to see members of the West band help each other every day! The sense of ownership is obvious when you see them help move equipment that they don’t even use; they just know that in order for the band to be good, we need everyone ready at the beginning of rehearsal, so they do whatever it takes to make this happen! They take initiative to help and do it so willingly! This doesn’t happen at all schools, but it does at West. 

The band was terrific at the pep rally! They faced an unknown performance situation with confidence and flexibility usually only found in professional musicians! With so much of the timing and logistics of that event in the hands of others, it could have been very frustrating and stressful…but it wasn’t. That’s because of the kids. They patiently waited and enjoyed the festivities and when it was their turn, they were ready immediately, just like professionals. This band really impressed me with their ability and willingness to go with the flow. By the time the pep rally was over, the sun was in their eyes, but no one complained about being hot, tired, hungry or thirsty (even though they were all these). The kids helped transport all the equipment back to the band room and changed out of uniform. 

After that, they reported to the main gym to help with the set-up of the Craft Fair. The kids helped crafters unload their vehicles for the next several hours. Again, there were no complaints, no whining, no resistance. They asked total strangers if they needed help and did it with a smile. It wasn’t just that the kids helped, but it was they way in which they did so. Even at 3:00 (when loading was supposed to be over) and a car pulled up with what seemed another load to take care of, kids came forward and offered to help without hesitating. The crafter was just putting empty boxes back in their car for the day. Our band students demonstrated their ability to serve others, even when they might not have felt like it. This doesn’t happen at all schools, but it does at West. 

After an hour or so for dinner and some down time, the kids got back into uniform, warmed up, and marched to the stadium. This football game, surrounded by unparalleled media attention, was another opportunity for us to witness how the West band kids rise to the top. Again faced with the pressure and uncertainty of television programming, the kids turned a potentially stressful situation into one that felt like every other game – relaxed and assured. I was also amazed at their energy level after such an early start…but that is the joy of young people! The kids performed a great show at half-time and impressed the crowd yet again with an energetic performance that entertained everyone! However, it was the way in which they interacted with Parkway North’s band that was the icing on the cake! In an activity as competitive as marching band, our kids welcomed the North band as if they were members of our own family. They talked with each other and even taught each other some of the “games” they play in the stands. Our kids taught them how to “shake their booty” and the North band taught us the “rollercoaster.” It was really special seeing kids sharing their traditions with each other. And, at the end of an 18 hour day, the kids waited patiently for the traffic to dissipate before we began our trek from the stadium to the band room. Instead of being agitated, they made the best of it and enjoyed hanging out with each other until it was safe to head back. This would not have happened at all schools, but it does at West. 

Not only were our kids real troopers through this long day, we had many parents who joined us for the Pep Rally, stayed through the day for Craft Fair set up, and were present (even if exhausted) for the football game. Thank you to all of you who so freely gave time and effort for the good of this band program! I know that such participation comes at great sacrifice…but, we all know the rewards are many! The work that goes into the Craft Fair is monumental – and it takes the dedicated work of a TEAM of helpers to make it successful. Special thanks goes to Melanie Halley for her tireless work in leading the charge for this, the largest fundraiser of the year. I would also like to thank her parents for helping out throughout the weekend. In addition, I’d like to thank our Executive Board for their ongoing commitment to our kids and coordination of all things booster related: Marsha Coonrod, James Mackey, Mina McMullin, and Vandelle Wingrove.

Thank you to the many committees and individuals whose leadership has been a driving force behind the success of our Craft Fair:

• Melanie Halley for your indispensable leadership, for helping all of us stay on target, being persistent, and getting everything done that needed to get done,
• Nancy Yates for being our Craft Fair Co-Chairperson,
• Ian Halley, Steve Palesch, and Mark Doig for your help in setting up the gym,
• Marsha Allen, Lisa Leake, Ying Feng, Wenjun Han and Sunny Luo for doing such a great job with the Bake Sale,
• Janet Kammeyer, Mina McMullin, Carol & George Schneider for your guidance with the Concession Stand,
• Beth Egan for your help with parent volunteer sign-ups,
• Susan Doig for your help with student sign-ups,
• Greg Coonrod for your help with parking,
• Beth Delarosa for your help with the Silent Auction,
• James Mackey for your work on our car fundraiser,
• Susan Doig and Beth Egan for all your help with Spirit Wear,
• Wenjun Han for helping keep our website up to date with current information, and
• Everyone who helped the 24^th Annual Craft Fair be such a tremendous success!

There are, no doubt, many others who have helped us out during this busy weekend!! My apologies for not including the name of every person who helped us out! I know there were many of you who brought additional family members and friends to help out and your efforts are greatly appreciated! It has been an incredible several days and I can’t thank you enough for all you do to support the Parkway West Band!

Respectfully,

Ben Pyatt