Yoe Band earns sixth place at State

The Yoe High Band earned sixth place at the State Marching Band Contest in San Antonio on Nov. 6.

They advanced to the finals after competing with 22 of the best bands from across the state in class 3A. Ten bands made the finals.

The year started out with 204 Class 3A bands and throughout the marching season in regional and area contests the field was narrowed to 22 bands who competed at state.

The band and drum majors Rebecca Kostroun and Devion Perez were honored by the Cameron ISD School Board during the board meeting for their outstanding season.

“I would like to stand up here and take credit,” Superintendent Kevin Sprinkles said.

Sprinkles and YHS principal Brian Stork gave credit to director Craig George during the meeting. He introduced his drum majors.

George said that at the end of last year drum majors were selected after writing an essay and interviewing community members for the spots.

“They have to go through a lot to be considered to be a drum major,” George said. “They do a lot for our program. They are the leaders of our program. The students look up to these young folks.”

He said they personify the band program and he is super proud of them.

“It has been an awesome year for us,” he said. “The process goes all the way back to last January designing the show. A lot goes into designing it from last January to this fall.”

Sprinkles said that this year was his first year to attend a state marching contest.

“What an exhilarating experience,” he said. “You are the best director I have ever had the opportunity to work with. Your passion and expectations for the kids and the standard that has been set are outstanding.”

He said to put that product out there on the field for everyone to be proud of in the community is outstanding.

“It is first class product,” he said. “You also pour that into these two students and you can see it. That product that you have created has been a neat experience for me. You don’t get there if you don’t do the summer practice and put in the work.”

Sprinkles said he hopes they all know what they mean to this district and the enormity of it.