Marching Ads win Spirit of Valley

HARDIN VALLEY — Farragut High School’s Marching Admirals band earned high marks in every category — being named Grand Champion with its numerous awards — during 6th Annual Spirit of the Valley Marching Band competition Saturday, Oct. 1, at Hardin Valley Academy.

The group’s awards also included: first place drums, Class 5A and overall; first-place color guard, Class 5A; first-place visuals in Class 5A and overall; first-place music in Class 5A and overall; first-place general effect in Class 5A and overall; and first-place Class 5A overall.

As is custom, the 41 seniors accepted the awards on behalf of the band (see photo, page 1A).

“While the band has been really close to a win over the last two marching season (winning music in three out of four shows last year and second overall in three out of four shows last year, with one third place), this was their first win and sweep of all captions (music, visual, general effect, percussion and class color guard) at HVA,” FHS band director Kenneth Carrico III said. “This group has worked so hard and their hard work was rewarded (that) weekend.

“I was very proud of the students — they did a great job with this year’s show,” he added.

“It was a very impressive performance that night.”

Fourteen bands competed in various divisions, including high schools from Concord Christian School, Rockwood, Knox Central, West, Karns, Clinton, Halls, Gibbs, Carter and Lakeway Christian Academy.

Hardin Valley Academy’s band performed an exhibition but did not compete.

This was the second of four competitions for FHS: next is a visit to West Ridge High School Saturday, Oct. 22, then at Alcoa Saturday, Oct. 29.