As our daughter graduates from high school, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Fred Channel and the New Martinsville Band Patrons for all of their hard work and dedication to the Magnolia Blue Eagle Band.

From distributing and collecting all the needed band camp documentation to meeting the Krispy Creme Donut delivery man at 6:30 a.m. with 300 dozen donuts, they are the “oil that keeps the machine running.”

I would also like to thank all of the local merchants that support the band through donations or reduced pricing of products which are used for activities and fund raisers.

This group of young musicians would make anyone proud, in the way they practice, their discipline when representing the school, and their performances. Over the past four years, I have had the privilege of hearing the introduction of the Magnolia Blue Eagle Band and watching as they marched down the streets of Main Street Disney to being awarded the Mt. State Forest Festival Grand Champion band. . . it’s been quite a ride!!

I would like to encourage all band parents to become involved with the band patrons’ organization. They meet the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Magnolia High School band room. (You don’t have to be a band parent to attend.)

Every parent has something to give to the band, whether it’s volunteering to work the concession stand, offering to help organize a fund raiser, chaperoning, or donating food items for a competition.

In closing, I can’t think of a finer group of kids to get involved with. . . they will make your heart smile.

Sincerely,

Eva Starkey

New Martinsville