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Pictorial
Six months ago, Bath County High School band director Melinda Hooker was on the march for level funding from the Bath County School Board for her extraordinarily talented group of 70 some musicians and color guard members. Despite finanical hurdles, this band just keeps getting better. Last week's Stonewall Brigade competition was no exception - the Charger percussion ranked first place among the 14 bands competing. The color guard nabbed second place, and drum major Samantha Whitson's leadership earned a third place. What makes this even more remarkable is that due to the high numbers in the Bath County band, it's forced to compete in a higher classification (Double A, not Single A). Nevertheless, the Marching Chargers walked away with the fourth highest overall band score of the day, earning special mention from Stonewall Brigade's director, who noted BCHS's superior performance comes from a school with only 333 students. The high percentage of band involvement at BCHS no doubt stems from the outstanding leadership Hooker brings to this program. With each passing schoool year, her musicians consistently earned higher and higher marks in contest after contest. Hooker shuns attention or praise for herself, and she'll be the first to explain it's the students, parents, and community support that keep these kids on the march. Those who have yet to see this group in action, get to the next game. See for yourselves why these Chargers keep the rest of us on our feet. Here, sweet victory is joyfully expressed by senior class band members who celebrate their superior ratings and trophies. Pictured are (l-r) front: Samantha Whitson, Heidi Smith, Caitlyn Anderson, Darla Hise, and Angela Ryder; back: Tony Walters, Blake Reese and Dustin Bogan. (Photo courtesy Pat Whitson).
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