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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:
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 |