Ending the Tradition of Twos

Story by Hunter Darling ≫

The Eudora High School Cardinal Regiment made history on Oct. 7, by earning a 1 Superior rating at the Central States Marching festival in Manhattan, Kan.

“Central States is one of the more premier marching festivals in the state,” said EHS Director of Bands Damian Johnson.

“It represents where a majority of our marching bands [skills] are in [Kansas].”

Johnson believes that people were pleasantly surprised by the size of the group, as well as their skills.

“I think when people see a band our size they usually have a notion as to how well our band will perform, and I think we improved on our technique as far as our marching goes,” said Johnson. “The way we marched and looked… kind of sold our show.”

He also believes that the success of the band can be attributed to things such as the strong history the band has had at EHS. ,

“I think our whole foundation is built on the past. There are people who aren’t in this room who contributed to us getting a 1 at K-State.”

Olivia Schafer, Frosh., was nervous during the awards ceremony.

“We were one of the smallest bands there, and I don’t think we played as well as we could have.”

Drum Major Isabel Barrera, Jr., shared similar feelings.

”Because I was a Drum Major and I was on the field… it felt like a million years,” Barrera said.

She believes that this was made possible by everyone that came before her as well.

“It’s not just one class that does the improving, its all of them. We just happened to be the class that accomplished a one.”