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State Champions

Elkins High Band Drumline dazzles

The Inter-Mountain photos by Edgar Kelley The Elkins High School Band Drumline was named Grand Champion at the Philip Barbour Horseshoe Classic/Governor’s Cup Finals held last weekend at George Byrer Field. Members of the state champion drumline include, above from left, Sherry Shank, Isabelle Wilkie, Jon Shank, Justin Brazo, Joel Plishka, Josiah VanHorn, Zenna Jones, Elliott Hart, Branson Shaffer, Leo Dumire, Jaden Grey, Julie Wilson and Zach Paugh.

ELKINS — The Elkins High School Band Drumline was named Grand Champion at the Philip Barbour Horseshoe Classic/Governor’s Cup Finals held at George Byrer Field this past weekend.

The Tigers scored 171 out of a possible 200 points to earn the distinction of drumline state champions. EHS defeated 10 other drumlines that competed in the finals of West Virginia Marching Band Invitational, which featured a total of 34 bands from throughout the state.

“Our drumline won what they call ‘Drums at the Capitol,’ which is a competition put on with the Governor’s Cup,” Elkins High School Band Director Seth Blake told The Inter-Mountain. “It’s a competition for drumlines and our kids put on a heck of a show and ended up winning it all.”

The EHS Drumline consists of Sherry Shank, Isabelle Wilkie, Jon Shank, Justin Brazo, Joel Plishka, Josiah VanHorn, Zenna Jones, Elliott Hart, Branson Shaffer, Leo Dumire, Jaden Grey, Julie Wilson and Zach Paugh.

“The kids started digging in and getting ready for the drumline competition back in the beginning of September,” Blake said. “It’s really refreshing to see a group of kids decide they want to do something, set their goals, work hard to get better, and go out and accomplish what they set out to do. You don’t often see that.”

The Elkins High School Band Drumline practices outside during the sunny weather Thursday at the school.

Not only was the drumline presented with a large trophy for their accomplishment, but the band also received $27,000 worth of new percussion equipment from the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History.

“For winning the competition, the drumline was awarded $27,000 worth of equipment through the Ludwig company,” said Blake. “It’s nice that winning this competition is going to allow us to get brand new equipment for the kids to continue their success.

“One of the directors stopped me when I was leaving the competition and we both agreed that this amount of equipment is program-changing. Every one of those kids are going to be on a new instrument next year, as well as having some extras just in case something goes wrong, something breaks.”

During the competition, the Tigers were judged on music, professionalism, technique and discipline. It was only the second time the EHS drumline competed in the Governor’s Cup Finals under Blake.

 

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