It has been an amazing roller coaster of a week. Monday – Thursday we held our first annual Pride of Hennessey Mini Band Camp for students pre-k – 7th grade. What an amazing experience and I believe that I can say that from the perspective of the adults and high school kids who worked the camp, as well as the campers themselves.
The campers got to experience several different aspects of being in marching band. They learned to words to the school fight song and alma mater, mini flags, baton, drums, marching and marching commands, as well as playing music related games. Every time that Drum Major Cody Riggs or Band Director Mr. Steuart would yell out “Band, ATTENTION!” “PRIDE” rang out from every student in the building and everyone down to the littlest pre-k girl came to attention.
In the midst of all of the fun that we were having, disaster struck our state when several deadly tornadoes ravaged the Sooner State. Showing Hennessey Pride, the students brought different needed items to band camp on it’s final day to be loaded in the band trailer, which we took to Piedmont, OK to help with disaster relief.
I can not even begin to describe the horrific sight we saw as we drove down the north side of Piedmont road. A sobering hush came over the entire car as we all looked out over what used to be peoples homes. It really struck home how fragile life really is, how blessed we are to draw every breath we take and how there is nothing more important than caring for our fellow human beings.
While this week may have brought out the worst in Mother Nature, it brought out the best in our community and in our kids. It truly was an incredible week. I am really looking forward to next year’s camp because I just know that it is going to be bigger and better than we can even hope to imagine. To all of our parents who helped all this week, thank you so very much!! To our high school band helpers, you guys did a great job and were excellent role models for the younger kids. To our campers, YOU are the Pride. YOU are where it starts, and YOU were A-MA-ZING all this week!!!!