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Members of the Wildcat Band put on a standstill performance of their competition show “Paris Sketches” to conclude the dedication ceremony Wednesday evening. Staff photo by Todd Kleiboer -
SSHS Band Director Spencer Emmert, left, opens the dedication ceremony for the new band trailer Wednesday evening at Gerald Prim Stadium. Staff photo by Todd Kleiboer -
From left, drum majors Tristan Stewart, Galilea Sosa and Joel Villarino took time to thank the school board with a signed poster and custom SSHS band masks during the dedication ceremony Wednesday evening. Staff photo by Todd Kleiboer
Director thanks everyone ‘built this program’
The Wildcat band family gathered at the Gerald Prim Stadium Wednesday to dedicate a new trailer to the “past staff, students and administration from Sulphur Springs band who have worked so hard to build this band program,” according to band director Spencer Emmert.
“This is the 19th year I’ve been associated with this program,” Emmert said, who has children in the Wildcat band. “To see that change in those almost 20 years has been unbelievable.”
Emmert requested the trailer in February, and the board approved a purchase in April after bids were received.
“We’ve some of the best administration in the state, I would say,” Emmert said. “Our school board has always been so incredibly supportive of these kids.”
Emmert expressed his excitement for the band in competition this year, saying they “have taken things to a new level.” The band’s UIL competition will be held Tuesday at Gerald Prim Stadium. Sulphur Springs takes the field at 3:30 p.m.
“We are excited to see the future,” Emmert said. “This was a desperately needed thing for us.”
Drum majors Tristan Stewart, Galilea Sosa and Joel Villarino thanked the school board, Stewart adding “the idea of having our own semi trailer was not an existent thought at that time.”
“The struggle of packing and loading three different vehicles to go to contests and even football games has really opened our mind to how much this means to us,” Stewart said.
Board president Robert Cote complimented Emmert’s “passion” and “leadership” over the years during the dedication, and he noted the band had been revamped with new uniforms last year and the new trailer. Cote said although the band may now travel in style, the students are the core.
“The excellence comes from each of you and the hard work and the dedication that you put into this program,” Cote said. “Those uniforms don’t play their hearts out. That trailer won’t play its heart out.”
Superintendent Michael Lamb said he was “very proud” of the program and of the students and recalled when the band only had the pull-behind trailer to transport their equipment.
“Charlie [McCauley, former band director] was so excited to ask me if we could get that box truck [the band had used prior], and I thought I was Santa Claus,” Lamb said. “That little old box truck doesn’t mean much anymore. You guys are well-deserved of this gift to you.”