The excitement was palpable the weekend of October 19th, as our talented La Feria Early College High School marching band showcased their hard work and dedication at the 82nd Annual Pigskin Competition. Competing against 6 bands in the region, our musicians delivered an unforgettable performance that earned them well-deserved recognition and accolades, including Division 1 ranking and they will perform at Area competition on Saturday, November 2 in Calallen, Texas. The Lion Band have been working hard rehearsing their show since Summer Band in the middle of July. They began to slowly learn the fundamentals of marching like how large of a step they should take like an 8 to 5 step, or the way they should step such as rolling, smooth moving, and even marching backwards and sideways. They learn drills and of course, the music. Since school began, the student musicians rehearse 45 minutes in class and at least 3-4 hours after school. Some students felt a difference in this year’s momentum, “It felt as if we were all equally dedicated to this show right off the bat, even the Freshmen. Everyone is showing dedication and hard work, I’m proud of everyone. There are so many of us that juggle a number of extracurricular activities on top of our class work, and that isn’t easy to do,” expressed 11th grader, Olivia Castro, color guard soloist. All of this dedication truly showed when the La Feria Early College High Mighty Lion Band under the direction of David Cardona, presented a captivating show titled “Heart Spark.” It’s a heart breaking love story that turns around as the color guard soloist moves on from the bari saxophone player and finds love again as the accordion player serenades her with his beautiful, moving sound. For those that know the real meaning behind the show, they might realize how powerful “Movement” is, a resplendent glory that wraps up the love story as hearts spark again. A crowd favorite is the arrangement of “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” originally by Frankie Valli, and a recognizable classic. Luis Cuellar, 12th grader and accordion soloist and trumpet player, was proud about the performance, “I thought it was one of the best runs we have done so far. I think if we continue working hard and fixing those small mistakes, like spacing and marching techniques, we can make it to State. The more work we put in, the better we will get.” The success of the marching band not only highlights their individual talents but also the spirit of teamwork and collaboration that defines our community. Parents and supporters rallied together to provide encouragement and assistance throughout the season, culminating in this triumphant moment. Congratulations to our marching band for their outstanding performance at the Pigskin Competition!