Marchin’ Cats Show Support For Andrew’s Band

Column: Band Director Bonnie Anderson

Most of us know about the tragic bus accident that occurred in Big Spring, TX, on November

19. A bus carrying the Andrews High School band was struck by a pickup truck headed the wrong way, killing the head high school band director, Darin Johns, and the bus driver Marc Boswell and injuring multiple students. This happened the day Littlefield ISD got out for Thanksgiving. The Andrews band members not only lost their director, but also many of their instruments were destroyed.

The assistant manager of the music store Tarpley Music in Lubbock called me and told me the situation. He sent out a mass email to schools in our area asking if any of our students would be interested in marching in the Andrews Christmas parade as a show of support for Andrews’ band members and the community.

On Monday, November 29, the day the Littlefield students returned from Thanksgiving break, I explained the opportunity to my high school band students. At the end of the story, I told them if any of them were interested in going to Andrews and participating in the parade to help, to see one of the directors. I put the cutoff date to volunteer at noon Wednesday, December 1. The assistant directors from Andrews emailed music to all the directors. We copied it, worked on it one day, and it was time.

On Friday, December 3, Littlefield High School took 25 band students to Andrews to march with the Andrews band. Chris Wheeler, assistant manager of Tarpley Music, continued to receive daily emails from schools stating they were coming, and how many students they were bringing. By Friday, parade day, 30 schools, and 1,261 band kids were coming to Andrews to march and support the Andrews Band in the parade. We were so proud to have students in this massive show of love and support. The students met at 6 p.m., warmed up, and practiced the music for the parade. Then it was time to line up. This band took up an entire block. There were kids from all size schools, 1A-6A there to show their support.

I decided to ask the students how they felt about the parade and marching in it.

Sophomore Brittany Abeyta said, “The reason I went to Andrews was to be a part of the amazing experience. I loved everything that went on there. I was very happy to be a part of this experience. #Andrews Strong.”

Freshman Lindsey Fuentes said, “I think it was a great experience for all of the bands to get together. I am very thankful that people all around West Texas got together to support Andrews. Things like this are a once in a lifetime experience and I am glad that I went.”

For Junior Alex Dewbre, “My experience marching in the Andrews parade was amazing. There was a lot of kids, who volunteered to help them out. I’m thankful that I got to go. I had so much fun. I went because I felt bad for what happened.”

Senior Lucas Casas had a similar reaction. “I had a great experience. It was really awesome to see all the other people from other bands come together as one and show support for the Andrews Band and their Community.”

Junior Mallory Marquez said, “The reason I went to Andrews is because the tragedy that happen to them could of happen to any of the schools. Seeing all the different schools and communities come together for one night was a once in a lifetime experience. I only hope nothing like this happens again. # Andrewsstrong.”

All three directors attended. Miss Muela and Miss Cook marched with the band students, and I was lucky enough to get Danny Marquez to go and drive me in his ranger, so that I could be with the kids as well. A big thank you to him and Savannah Ellis, a band mom that decided to go.

Bands attending the parade included Midland Greenwood, Stanton, Lubbock-Cooper, Lubbock High School, Lamesa, Plains, Littlefield, Denver City, Olton, Bovina, Seagraves, Springlake-Earth, Ralls, Tahoka, Sundown, Frenship, Muleshoe, Seminole, Brownfield, Smyer, McCamey, Shallowater, Lubbock Christian School, Monahans, Colorado, Compass Academy, Odessa High, Permian High, Midland High, and Farwell.

As teachers it is nice to see kids have compassion for others. I am so proud of my kids and the rest of the kids that showed up on a Friday night when they could be anywhere, to make a small town know that they are loved and supported by 1,261 kids. As a good friend of mine said, “It’s a great day to be a Wildcat”.