Last year, Winnsboro’s Big, Bad Band from Raiderland missed qualifying for state by one place.
Saturday, the band made sure that didn’t happen again.
Winnsboro finished third in the UIL Class 3A Area C marching contest Oct. 24 in Whitehouse, earning a trip to the state marching competition Nov. 4 at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
Drum major Hallie Jo White said the wait for Saturday’s results was nerve-racking, especially after what happened last year.
“Well you know I was nervous the entire time waiting for them to start at 12th place, and continue on, and once they got to 7th place and hadn’t called our name, I knew we had it!” White said.
Winnsboro went on to finish third, its highest placement in area finals, according to White.
Senior drum major Camila Hernandez said last year’s disappointment was still on the minds of many band members as they waited for the results.
“This left us disappointed, and was a big factor in the anxiety of our members when heading to retreat,” Hernandez said.
Several students had approached her with their concerns before the placements were announced.
Once the band learned it had qualified, Hernandez turned around to see her fellow band members celebrating.
“The moment I will remember long after I graduate will definitely be turning around from being with drum majors for retreat, after they announced we got into state and seeing everyone in our band jumping, cheering, and smiling,” Hernandez said.
Senior color guard captain Zach Cason said he has wanted to compete at state since he was in seventh grade and joined the high school band in 2021.
“The only thing going through my mind when I realized we had qualified for state was that I will be able to complete the goal that my 7th grade self had back when I was able to be part of the high school band in 2021,” Cason said.
Cason said this year’s show has also helped him become more comfortable performing.
“This year’s show means so much to me in many ways, especially the fact that I am able to be myself out on that field,” Cason said.
For senior color guard captain Haylee Kyle, one of the biggest challenges this season was working with the largest color guard she had ever helped lead.
She said it has been rewarding to watch new members learn and improve throughout the season.
“This year’s show is special to me not only because it’s my last, but because I got to welcome so many more people to the thing that brings me joy,” Kyle said.
White said the band has worked throughout the season to stay consistent in rehearsals and performances. With strong competition in the region, students knew they couldn’t afford to waste practice time.
Hernandez said she and her friends had talked about their senior year since they were freshmen. Now that it’s here, she is making the most of her final marching season.
“My friends and I always talked about how our senior year was going to go as freshmen, and now that we’re finally here in our last show with this band, it makes every win, challenge, and memory that more sweet and cherished,” Hernandez said.
Under the direction of Cameron Warren, the band will take its show, “Red Kingdom,” to the state competition.
The band has a saying students repeat after games, rehearsals and competitions: “Ain’t no home, but the Dome.”
For Kyle, hearing Winnsboro announced among the state qualifiers meant they were finally going back.
“The only thing going through my mind once we had solidified our ticket to state was ‘we are going home’,” Kyle said.
White said qualifying was the goal the band had set at the beginning of the season.
“It’s a rewarding experience knowing we completed the goal we set at the beginning of the year. We’ve worked so hard to get to where we are and we are so blessed and grateful that it’s not over yet!” White said.
Winnsboro is scheduled to perform at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, at the Alamodome in San Antonio. Finalists will be announced at 4:30 p.m.