A very long drought is over for the Mission High School (MHS) Eagle Marching Band. When the results were announced late Saturday night at the annual Pigskin Jubilee marching competition, the band earned Division 1 rating. Band officials said it had been over 11 years since the band had last received a top rating at Pigskin Jubilee.
The MHS Band had several successful performances in competitions leading up to the Pigskin Jubilee, including one in San Benito, Texas in which the color guard also won best 4A color guard. A Division 1 rating was also earned by the band in the City of Palms Festival in McAllen, Texas.
History will also be made this Saturday, at the Area Marching Contest to be held at the Wildcat Stadium in Calallen, Texas. This is the first time both Mission CISD (Consolidated Independent School District) marching bands have advanced to the area round of competitions.
The Veterans Memorial High School (VMHS) Patriot Marching Band also qualified to advance with its Division 1 rating at the Pigskin Jubilee. The last time the Patriot Band advanced was three years ago. This will also be the third time at the area round for the Patriot Band in 10 years.
The MHS Eagle Band is scheduled to perform Saturday at 10:30 a.m. The VMHS Patriot Band is scheduled to perform Saturday at 11:00 a.m. A total of 23 bands will compete at the area round. The top ten ranked bands on Saturday will perform a second time that day. From those top ten bands, five will advance to the state marching contest.
Band officials said one of the most touching parts of the Pigskin Jubilee came after the results were announced and the program was officially finished. Band officials said the students from the MHS and VMHS bands came together in an impromptu celebration of their accomplishments.
Pictured are members of the MHS Eagle Band during the closing ceremony of the Pigskin Jubilee. The VMHS Patriot Band can be seen to the right of the Eagle Band members.
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