My husband and I have been attending marching band competitions for the past nine years. Every year at the end of the season, I’m amazed at what this group of people has accomplished! Dale Nelson, Mary Goheen and a handful of volunteers are in charge of more than 100 kids for the entire day, five Saturdays in a row. They deal with forgotten horns, hats, shoes; rain, wind, heat and cold; illness; fixing whatever is broken — amazing!Attitude reflects leadership, and better leaders than Dale and Mary cannot be found. It shows in the kids’ respect for them and the band members’ strong work ethic. Days can begin as early as 4:30 a.m. and end as late as 11 p.m. One of the great things about marching band is that you participate 100 percent of the time. It doesn’t matter whether you’re first chair or last chair in your section; if you are absent, you are missed. Everyone is important and everyone is treated that way. Marching band builds confidence, teaches responsibility, and promotes teamwork. Since 1997 the Luverne Marching Band has received 41 first place awards and 30 specialty awards. As a community we can be very proud of these students who represent Luverne so well and the tremendously successful music program they’re privileged to be involved in. Congratulations to these musicians and their leaders on another great season!Gayle StegemannLuverne
