EHS Marching Band Outshines Competition

Lynda Alley, the Enumclaw High School Band and Orchestra director reported to parents and boosters that the marching band won Best Percussion, first place in the school's division and the Golden Drum Award at last week's Tenino Marching Band Festival. 

As thrilling as the sweep by EHS was, Alley was much more excited about the students themselves:

"...The story really is in how OUR kids, raised by you and taught through the Enumclaw schools exhibited character, respect, integrity, standards, decency and CLASS far above others in attendance.  In a world of competition, there is no place for a spirit of meanness nor is there a place for disrespect for guest conductors and clinicians.  ENUMCLAW MARCHING HORNET BAND STUDENTS were mixed with 120 other students from other schools and had many moment to moment choices to make since there seemed to be so many students around them with a lack of self discipline, control, standards, respect and kindness.  It would have been easy for our small group to go with the flow (and the majority) but no, they did not.  Our students were like beacons of light and carried themselves in such a way that caused others to wonder why we were not following along.  I am so proud of Enumclaw for showing that first and foremost it is important to be true to yourself, to have personal standards and to remember that you represent more than yourself out there.  You not only won all those awards, you gained the respect of all those in attendance..."

Thanks to reader Jody Horn for passing along this description worthy of a whole set of chain links.