By Ammie Ruddle
It has been a while since the Wildcats had the sound of a marching band cheering their team on from the sidelines.
According to Nicole Hevener, associate superintendent of schools/director of human resources and transportation, “Staff changes during the last school year prevented the marching band from accompanying the football team to games.”
However, this year, the marching band is led by a new music director, Jade Saul. Saul took the position of Pendleton County Middle/High School music director during the summer of 2022. This is his first year teaching at the school.
He has been building the band up to take the field since the first day of school and on Sept. 30, all their hard work has paid off.
Fans took to social media to express their joy in hearing and seeing the marching band at the game, and according to social media, the crowd was pleased with the band’s performance.
A.S. Mowery posted, “Welcome to the field, hearing that anthem and fight song was an awesome addition!”
In a different post, Jennifer Cook said, “This was absolute amazing to see!”
Even a Tucker County parent, Amy Chanell, commented on the band, “It doesn’t matter the size of the band. You guys played amazingly. You all played with your hearts.”
Michelle Sites encouraged the band with her social media post. “Let’s go Marching Wildcats! Please keep cheering them on!” She added, “It takes a lot of work and a lot of parent/administration/community support to keep and grow a band.”
