Dart Pride

Last week, Davis High School promised the students that if they raised over $10,000 for Sub for Santa, they would get out of school early the Friday of Winter Break.  More specifically, they would use the assembly schedule and show a movie in the auditorium at the end of the day, which presumably nobody would go to.  The school easily cleared the $10,000 goal (yes!) and Golda made plans with her friends for kicking off Winter Break at noon Friday. 

Thursday night there was a snafu with the school district and it was determined that the school couldn't show a movie.  Unless an assembly could be put together in 18 hours, the school would have to renege on its promise and the students wouldn't get out early, despite reaching their goal.  It was upsetting because the money had been raised in good faith, with a promise attached.

Enter the Davis High Band.  Their winter concert was Thursday night, and the principal came to Mr. Hendricks on bended knee asking if the bands would play their concert again on Friday so that the school could keep its promise to the studentbody and still comply by district rules, which called for some sort of assembly that would run until the regular bell.  During the Thursday night concert, Mr. Hendricks announced to the audience that the principal had asked for this favor.  He said, "I told the principal the of course the bands would be willing to do that.  BUT!  I won't make you dress up.  Be here right after school tomorrow and we wil play our concert again." 

These are kids who have been doing five-mile marches in the snow, practicing after school, and getting ready to to to California.  (Check this out.)  I didn't hear any complaining.

I took Ptolemy and Tziporah to the concert the next day.  Every single band member was there except one, who had a prior commitment with his family at the homeless shelter.  Seriously, the Davis High Band is unreal.  Principal Burton stood up in front of the audience and got all choked up.  He thanked the band kids for "taking one for the team."  I wish I could say that the whole studentbody was there in support of the band, but the auditorium was empty.  Principal Burton said, "You kids are used to playing in front of hundreds of people.  Today you're playing in front of perhaps 25 or 30.  But next week, you will be playing in front of six million people."  There was hardly a dry eye in the auditorium, since the principal and I were both crying and we were the only people there besides the band kids, who were probably crying because their winter break was on hold.  But these kids wouldn't grumble.

 Out Golda's window

 This morning, 5:10.  Our next-door neighbor has plowed our driveway.  Amazing!  Thank you, Steve.

 Can you see Golda?

 This is ten minutes before the kids' call time.  The band operates on time.

 Nervous energy in the band room.  I forgot to take a picture of the band motto on the wall.  One sentence reads, "We believe in synergy.  We are more than the sum of our parts."  And their parts are pretty impressive.  the band was asked by the Rose Parade people to compile a bio of the band, including things like how many 4.0 students there are, how many Eagle Scouts, how many honors students, how many service hours a week.  When Mr. Hendricks sent the stats, he received a one-word reply.  "Wow."

 On Bus 4

 Driving in front of the high school at 6:59 AM.

 ...with a police escort.

This morning, the band kids were told to be at the school at 5:30 AM.  A huge storm hit last night and the roads weren't even plowed when we ventured out in the dark.  Nevertheless, cars were streaming into the parking lot by 5:20.  Hundreds of students, chaperones and parents crowded into the band room with luggage, some dragging mounds of snow with their suitcases!  Mr. Hendricks stood on the podium, raised his arm, and silence descended over the whole room.  He spoke to the band, gave instructions and then Kaysville Mayor Steve Hiatt and the Fruit Heights mayor spoke to the band, letting them know how proud we are as a community to be represented by them at the Rose Parade.  Scott and I went home to get a few things Golda wanted, then drove down with Ptolemy to watch the eight busses depart. 

With over a foot of snow on the ground, with 400+ people in the dark and snow, dressed for California, hauling luggage and instruments, with parents' cars stuck in the snow, the caravan pulled out early.  By their scheduled departure time, 7:00, the police escort was already leading the row of busses past the high school, light flashing as our kids set off for Pasadena.

I'm sorry, this bragging is ridiculous.  But I am so honored and thrilled that Golda gets to be part of this organization and this experience.  I am so grateful she gets to hang out with these kids.  Our kids' associations with these families and their children will shape them forever.  And I am so thankful for a band director who demonstrates this stratospheric level of commitment.  You know, he doesn't get paid for this beyond a tiny bit extra.  He is changing our kids for the better, forever, and he is doing it on a teacher's salary. 

Watch the Rose Parade New Years Day.  You'll see the Saints go marching in.  When the band plays the song, we sing "Oh when the Darts go marching in," but "saints" is just as apropos.  I love these people.  (Especially Golda!!)  Have fun, Geeg!  Love you!