Members of the Deptford Spartan Marching Band packed the municipal building’s courtroom as they were honored by council for taking the Tournament of Bands Atlantic Coast Championshp last month.
The Deptford Spartan Marching Band of students from the township middle and high school were honored for their second Tournament of Bands Atlantic Coast Championship at the Dec. 2 township council meeting.
More than two dozen students and their parents were in attendance as the band members were recognized by council as citizens of the month after their win on Nov. 2. The Spartans – who also took the championship in 2014 – finished this year with a score of 94.55. The competition took place in Hershey, Pennsylania, where Deptford competed against bands from schools across the northeastern U.S.
“It’s been a great season with everybody,” senior saxophonist Antonio Torres said as he addressed other band members. “It was, honestly, not expected at all that we would pull this out. I’m very proud of each and every one of you that are here tonight, and those who could not make it, unfortunately.
“But I know that you guys are going to do great things in your high-school careers.”
Each of the students and band staffers in attendance were awarded with certificates that officially recognized their accomplishment. Mayor Paul Medany also had a message for the families there.
“We want to thank the moms and dads (of students), too,” he noted. “Without them to support your children in the band, they couldn’t do it. Thank you, moms and dads, grandparents, uncles – whoever is here for you.”
The council recognition was a culmination of practice and training by the marching band that first began in May and continued throughout the summer and into the beginning of the school year. For Spartan members who are seniors, the meeting was a moment that helped make their final year of high school a memorable one.
“Right here is a huge family that we’re all a part of and we can all contribute to it,” Torres added. “I want to thank each and every one of you for making my senior year one of the best. I want to thank all of my friends and family for being there for me, and you guys will always have a special place in my heart.”
