The Crofton band has experienced many great successes over the past week. From the instructor, where it all starts, to the sound that ends it, the Crofton High School band has been celebrated for it all.
The band traveled to Lincoln on March 2-4 to support the girls’ varsity basketball team. While they were down in Lincoln they played pep band at all the games, while also participating in the dress up days that the high school seniors came up with.
They also took part in a few other activities such as shopping, going to a hockey game, and stuffing their faces at some great eating establishments in their spare time. After playing their hearts out and helping the girls through their games, they were awarded the gold medal sportsmanship award from the NSAA.
During the weekend, on Saturday March 4, Crofton’s band instructor Mrs. Ashley Leader attended the NSBA awards ceremony at the Embassy Suites in Lincoln, to receive the band's NSBA excellence in academic achievement award. To her surprise she was also awarded the NSBA Nate Metschke creative teacher award. While receiving these awards the community came to surprise her and celebrate their achievements.
Mrs. Leader has been the band instructor at Crofton High School for 11 years. She instructs students from grades 5-12. While Crofton’s band has been under the instruction of Mrs. Leader, she has reestablished the marching program with great success. Crofton’s marching band has been consecutive division A1 Quad State winners, as well as receiving many other accolades at various competitions.
Mrs. Leader has also greatly improved the pep band and is also incorporating jazz band into her curriculum. After receiving her award Mrs. Leader said, “I am very humbled and honored to be the recipient of this award.” She also believes that if we invest in our community, they will invest in you.
Following the big weekend in Lincoln, 13 band students attended the Mid State Conference Honor Band in Norfolk at Norfolk Catholic High School on Monday, March 6.
Here the students attended different sessions with many other schools to help them learn about each other and prepare for the piece that they would perform later that night. Band member Megan Tramp stated that “I really enjoyed meeting other band students in our conference and getting the opportunity to show off our talents together.”