Ashdown High band receives top ratings
ASHDOWN, Ark. — Instead of the Ashdown Purple Pride Marching Band traveling to their region assessment this year, the assessment came to them.
Amid the current COVID19 pandemic, the Arkansas Region II Marching Assessment was conducted for Ashdown High School when three judges traveled to Dick Hays Stadium on Ashdown’s Campus Tuesday,
The band performed their halftime show of “Hey Baby!,” “Sunshine of Your Love,” “Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone” and “I Want You Back” to fellow students, staff, school board members and parents.
Following their performance, the band was notified that they had received first division ratings from all three judges.
Mark Pounds, Ashdown’s band director, said preparing his band for this moment has been a huge challenge this year, considering the implications COVID-19 has presented.
“We spent summer band and the first few weeks of school just trying to figure out which students would actually be coming to school in person as well as how to make things work to follow the guidelines we have must
follow,” Pounds said. “All the while, we worked to make up for the lost time from last spring (onsite learning ended Friday, March 13), and keep as many students involved and engaged in a worthwhile activity. Personally I liked the judges coming to our school and being able to perform in our own stadium, although the students have really missed the travel we normally have.”
Pounds, who has spent 26 years at Ashdown, said he couldn’t be more proud of the band.
“I can’t say enough positive stuff about my students who have hung in there and just kept working,” he said. “Even without travel to games, never getting to see and hear another band in person, we’ve been able to keep a positive attitude . These kids have exceeded all my expectations, I am proud of each and every one of my students.”
Ashdown Public Schools’ Superintendent Casey Nichols conveyed the same sentiments, saying the band always sets a high standard with their performances.
“The Purple Pride Marching Band continually amazes me with the talent and dedication they show each and every time they perform,” Nichols said. “I am so proud of them and their first division ratings they received. We were so blessed to have their competition held on our own campus Tuesday morning. This allowed for their peers, families and community members to be present and show their support.”