Rocket band wins first-ever sweepstakes in school history

A. Mario Rios Jr.
Communications Director

The Kennedy High School band did something that no other band has done in school history. The Rockets won the UIL sweepstakes championship this school year.

 Kennedy earned a one rating at the UIL Concert and Sight Reading regional contest at Taft High School April 16. The first division concert rating paired with a one scored at the UIL Marching regional contest in the fall, gave Kennedy a clean sweep for the entire school year.

No Kennedy band has ever scored a one in the fall and spring seasons in the same school year. Kennedy first opened in 1962.

“It was very exciting,” said Rosalie Herrera, a senior drum major and flute player. “For the seniors, it took us four years to do that. We worked really hard for it. We were really, really happy.”

 

The Rocket band is composed of 92 members. Two drum majors lead the group. 

“It was really big,” said Jeremy Jimenez, a senior drum major and trombone player. “The band worked really hard for this. It is very happy times here for us at Kennedy.”

Head band director Hector Barron and assistant band director Charles Ford are basking in the success of their students.

“We have never won sweepstakes,” said Barron, who is completing his sixth year as the Kennedy band director.  “This is a first for Kennedy. The kids have worked hard on this. The kids saw a goal and they went for it. We are young but we have set a foundation here. The kids have caught on and that is what makes them so great.”