The Pride of the East participates in biggest competition of year for

The Pride of the East performed their 2015 marching show “Dare to dream” at the UIL Area C 5A Competition at Mesquite Memorial Stadium in Mesquite Oct. 26 after UIL officials decided to not take a chance Saturday with the severe weather.

The band was sent off to Area by students and parents who stood along the sidewalk near the street to wave them goodbye and good luck as they left for competition.

“It was honestly so cute,” senior Drum Major Sanjuana Contreras said.

The band went on for the preliminary round at 4:30 p.m. and the finals round at 8 p.m.

“I had so much anxiety going into the performance. It was really nerve-racking because we wanted State so bad,” junior Jordan Johnson said.

The group has worked for months to perfect their drill and music for the show.

“Summer band and 7 a.m. rehearsals every morning can get pretty exhausting but it’s worth it,” senior Riley Freeman said.

The band goes to the Area competition every two years. Each year alternates between a 6A or 5A competition year. There are typically 40 bands at the competition. The top 10 bands in the preliminary round advance to finals and the top five bands in finals get to advance to the State competition in San Antonio Nov. 3.

In 2013, the band placed seventh in the preliminary round of the competition, advancing them into finals. The band did not get to perform in the finals round due to bad weather, landing them just two spots below getting to advance to State.

“I just remember feeling so heartbroken and everyone on my bus crying because we didn’t get the chance to prove ourselves at finals,” Freeman said.

This year the band fell short of their goal by two spots and placed seventh in the finals round.

“I’m definitely disappointed that we didn’t make it but I think we did the best that we’ve ever done,” said senior Haleigh Nordmeyer. “We left it all out on the field and I can’t wait to see what this band program achieves in the years to come.”