Nation’s top 30 Spirit’s goal

HARDIN VALLEY — Already setting records for top competition finishes, Hardin Valley Academy’s 2022 Spirit of the Valley Marching Band also is preparing for a huge national competition.

Led by director Alex Rector, the HVA band placed eighth among a 27-band field during a Band of America Regional event in Jacksonville, Alabama, “resulting in a record high score for (HVA at) a BOA Regional event and our second highest placement in a regional,” a band press release stated.

With this year’s program “Catching Fireflies,” Spirit of the Valley will be among roughly 100 of the nation’s top high school bands competing in “the biggest high school event of the year, Band of America Grand Nationals” in Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 11-12, the release further stated.

Looking to make school history and crack the top 30, this trip marks Spirit of the Valley’s third BOA trip in the last 13 years. “Last year HVA placed 38th (among) 99 bands,” the release stated.