Ooltewah Band Invited to Rose Bowl Parade in 2017
The Owls have been invited to the 2017 Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, California.
But, that trip will only happen after months of successful fund raising.
Band Students were told there would be a big surprise, and they heard the news in a recorded message from a Rose Parade official.
JOEL DENTON, DIR. OF BANDS, OOLTEWAH HIGH SCHOOL "We just made a pledge that we wanted to see the kids…going to see the students reaction."
JIM JARVIS, PRINCIPAL, OOLTEWAH HIGH SCHOOL "We have talked about it in the past …but it finally came to reality and it couldn’t happen to a better group of young people and to their director, Mr. Denton."
AALIYAH SHELBY, 7TH GRADE BAND STUDENT "I always see it on TV…and its just phenomenal thinking about it …I’m going to be there."
NAYLESKA GONZALES, 7TH GRADE BAND STUDENT "This is a really big thing..especially in the Rose Bowl. So, I can’t imagine how…my mind just…."
It’s really quite an accomplishment to be selected.
JOEL DENTON, DIR. OF BANDS, OOLTEWAH "We’re thrilled to be going. There’s hundreds of bands that apply…and they cut the list down to about 25 finalists..and they take 13 of those and so to be chosen as one of the 13 bands to go the Rose Bowl is an incredible opportunity."
But the announcement also means a lot of fund raising for the trip—about 1500 dollars for each student.
JOEL DENTON, DIRECTOR OF BANDS "Because of the uniqueness of Hamilton county where there is no funding for the program, that means the parents have to be incredibly involved…and that means the community has to believe in what you’re doing."
In the state of Tennessee Ooltewah will be only the fourth band that has done the Macy’s and the Rose Bowl parades.
Unlike some school districts, schools in Hamilton county don’t get any funds for things like trips, uniforms and band instruments.
That money will have to come from parents, fun raising events and contributions.
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