At Starr’s Mill High School the faculty and staff demand excellence from students every day. No matter what program the school has to offer, one can expect nothing less than the best. One example of the excellence at Starr’s Mill is the Panther Pride Marching Band. 

“Our band is an incredibly hard working band. I would say the rigorous practice and competition schedule could compete against any other activity here at Starr’s Mill,” Principal Allen Leonard said. “They work year round, from early in the spring, through the summer, and into the fall. They work incredibly hard.”

The Panther Pride Marching band marches at Friday night football games and in Saturday competitions. Over the past 15 years, the band has averaged at least one win each competition season. This year the band earned Grand Champions at the North West Georgia Marching Championship, and won other awards including first in music, visual effect, overall effect, and woodwinds. They also placed third in drum major at the same competition.

This also marks the sixth year that the band will send musicians to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. This years marchers include senior Zach Garcia, juniors Kevin Allen, Camryn Kiener, Kennedy Banks, and Nicole Di Vinitz, and sophomores Jarkaran Chawla and Claudia Williams.

“It is validating to be in the parade because the students do it all by themselves. They have to go through the audition all on their own,” band director Scott King said. “They will have a good time, and it keeps them motivated to be better.” In addition, the band will travel as a group to Universal Studios Florida. They will see the behind the scenes of making movie music and enjoy time at the park.

The band proves that they demand excellence in all aspects of their department. From the marching season, to their fall, winter, and spring contests, they always strive for greater things.