The Jackson High School band spent part of their Christmas break this year in New Orleans, performing in the Sugar Bowl.
Jackson’s “Purple Army” is widely considered to be one of the biggest and best high school bands in Ohio. For more than 20 years, they have been performing at a wide variety of parades and events, including the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, the Walt Disney Land Parade, various NFL halftime shows, shows for U.S. Presidents Ford and Bush, a memorial concert at Pearl Harbor and the Waikiki Holiday Parade in Honolulu in 2004, and annually in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Parade.
“The band has done trips biannually for years now,” said Jackson senior Luke DeGalan.
This year’s trip sent the Purple Army to Louisiana for the halftime of the Sugar Bowl, which was an exciting experience, by all accounts.
“Playing in the Sugar Bowl was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said junior Nick Jackson. “The size of the stadium and the amount of people at the game was truly awe-inspiring.”
The game itself may not have been, said DeGalan.
“It was a slaughter,” said DeGalan, although he said that, “playing… at halftime was phenomenal.”
The trip wasn’t all football stadiums and marching music. The students also had the opportunity to tour the French Quarter, take a Natchez Riverboat Cruise on the Mississippi, and – what some students claim as their favorite part of the trip – take a tour on a swamp boat.
Among other things, said junior Collin Bailis, students “got to hold a live baby alligator. It was awesome. I love reptiles,” he added with a laugh. “I kept saying I wanted one.”
“We could all pass it around and touch it,” said Jackson senior Crissy Herrington. “He was so cute. Scary, but cute.”
The students also saw the Lower Ninth Ward, a neighborhood in New Orleans, much of which is still in ruins in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Jackson called the experience “very emotional.”
“This tour showed everyone just what had happened during that fateful time… Much of the area is still devastated today.”
Students said the trip was an all-around success.
“I loved the experience,” said DeGalan.
Bailis concurs.
“I loved it. It was a sweet experience and I'll never forget it,” said Bailis.
“It was really cool because we got to meet a lot of new people who do what we do,” said Allison Londeree.
Herrington called the trip “sleep-depriving” but added, “It was awesome and I'm grateful for the opportunity to go.”
“I truly had the time of my life while on this trip,” said Jackson. “Being able to experience the culture and setting of New Orleans, playing during the Sugar Bowl and being able to do so with many of my close friends made for a terrific experience.”
“It’s always great to spend time with close friends,” said Londeree. “We could have fun absolutely anywhere.”
Jackson calls band “the best thing to do while in high school. Being in the band has allowed me to become close with many people, and experience so many memorable moments.”
“If you think band is just a bunch of geeks, you’re wrong,” said Bailis. “It’s a blast, and if you are contemplating joining… don’t back down.”
