Every year, the SHS Marching Band is invited to perform as an exhibition band at the US Bands competition. Bands from all over the country travel to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, to compete against other schools to be the top band. 

This night makes a memorable performance for an enormous crowd on the same field where professional football teams battle for a spot in the playoffs.  The event also provides one spectacular last “Hurrah” for the departing seniors.

Here are the seniors: Kristina Debree, Richard Oliphant, Adim Ogbolu, Arwen Cameron, Jessica Brady, Elena Casey, Matthew Lipitz, Roman Diakun, Ethan Flanagan, Arianna DiPaola, Kimani Hanson, Sarah Reyes, Bella Snyder, Brenna Lambert, Jayden Burke, Jarod Ruhl, Angelica Short, Telisha Ransome, Kaitlyn Hernandez, Isabella Caruso, Kristen Ingenito, Greg Ranzan, and Andrew Huntsberger.

Below, every single SHS Marching Band senior shares a few special thoughts about their experiences.

Also, enjoy the fantastic photo gallery at the bottom of the story.

Kristina Debree – Colorguard

What’s your favorite marching band memory?

Being allowed to march in the Saint Patrick’s Day parade last year. 

What advice would you give to new members or to the rookies when you leave?

Always strive to do your best. Every moment is an opportunity to make life-long memories.

How has marching band impacted your high school experience?

When the whole band sat in the dark and waved our phone flashlights to the video of the baby dancing to “Hooked on a Feeling.” 

Richard Oliphant – Drum Major

What’s your favorite marching band memory?

My favorite marching band memory would be riding the bus to away games.

What advice would you give to new members or to the rookies when you leave?

Even though band might seem difficult sometimes. Just stick through it because time flies.

How has marching band impacted your high school experience?

Marching band has given me the opportunity to make bounds of friends and some family.

Adim Ogbolu – Guitar

What’s your favorite marching band memory?

Thunderstruck

What advice would you give to new members or to the rookies when you leave?

Reading music is overrated.

How has marching band impacted your high school experience?

I have made a lot of friends.

Arwen Cameron – Drumline (snare)

What’s your favorite marching band memory?

Eating all of Michaela’s mints.

What advice would you give to new members or to the rookies when you leave?

Always be a 5.

How has marching band impacted your high school experience?

I made some of my most cherished friendships and playing the snare gave me abs.

Jessica Brady – Clarinet

What’s your favorite marching band memory?

2022 Homecoming Game Day – it was one of the best days of my life.

What advice would you give to new members or to the rookies when you leave?

Take in as much as you can while you’re here. You’ll be sitting at your last practice ever before you know it.

How has marching band impacted your high school experience?

It has given me lifelong friendships and has provided me with the experience of a lifetime.

Elena Casey – Flute

What’s your favorite marching band memory?

Tuesday night practices under the lights. Also marching back and messing with my flutes.

What advice would you give to new members or to the rookies when you leave?

Learn how to march correctly. Please. Also, don’t break your instrument.

How has marching band impacted your high school experience?

I found my people here. One of the best decisions I’ve ever made was joining marching band!

Matthew Lipitz – Alto Saxophone

What’s your favorite marching band memory?

Singing in the rain after losing a Parkland playoff game.

What advice would you give to new members or to the rookies when you leave?

To never doubt your abilities, a little bit of practicing never hurt anyone.

How has marching band impacted your high school experience?

Marching band provided me with a way to spend time and bond with my friends. Marching band helped me improve my patience, work ethic, and my procrastination ability.

Roman Diakun – Clarinet

What’s your favorite marching band memory?

Any memory with Ethan Flanagan and Greg Ranzan.

What advice would you give to new members or to the rookies when you leave?

Disregard anything and everything negative people think about you. Only you know who you truly are.

How has marching band impacted your high school experience?

It brought me out of my shell and allowed me to be who I am. It taught me how to be a leader and how to communicate better with people.

Ethan Flanagan – Drumline (Quads)

What’s your favorite marching band memory?

My favorite marching band memory is turning into a lego man. If you know, you know…

What advice would you give to new members or to the rookies when you leave?

Don’t look forward to having a singing solo, even if Mr. Cassady says you’ll get one. It won’t happen.

How has marching band impacted your high school experience?

Marching band has taught me how to overcome many challenges (like learning a new instrument in one month). It has brought me great leadership skills, life-long friends, and a nice set of back muscles. 

Arianna DiPaola – Clarinet

What’s your favorite marching band memory?

Performing on the field for the very first time.

What advice would you give to new members or to the rookies when you leave?

Don’t quit because of the bad times, stay because the good times are the ones you’ll never forget.

How has marching band impacted your high school experience?

Marching band always gave me something to look forward to, and a second family I wouldn’t trade for the world.

Kimani Hanson – Flute

What’s your favorite marching band memory?

Going to MetLife stadium for the first time. Feeling the cold air and seeing the huge stadium was breathtaking.

What advice would you give to new members or to the rookies when you leave?

Memorize the music the first time so you don’t have to do it again.

How has marching band impacted your high school experience?

It made me feel like I was part of something. It made me feel important. Best second family ever.

Sarah Reyes – Flute

What’s your favorite marching band memory?

My favorite memory was my second year when we went to MetLife.

What advice would you give to new members or to the rookies when you leave?

I would say to have a lot of patience and to have lots of motivation when joining marching band. It takes a lot of heart and hard work.

How has marching band impacted your high school experience?

It’s impacted me a lot. Marching band has helped me open up and create a lot of special memories.

Bella Snyder – Trumpet

What’s your favorite marching band memory?

…rocking back and forth (in shock) on the MetLife bus…

What advice would you give to new members or to the rookies when you leave?

Keep those lips fresh!

How has marching band impacted your high school experience?

Depleted my patience with incompetent people.

Brenna Lambert – Colorguard 

What’s your favorite marching band memory?

Mr. Cassady not remembering my name for four years.

What advice would you give to new members or to the rookies when you leave?

Know your drill.

How has marching band impacted your high school experience?

You have a second family of people who support you.

Jayden Burke – Flute

What’s your favorite marching band memory?

The bus rides to MetLife Stadium.

What advice would you give to new members or to the rookies when you leave?

Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

How has marching band impacted your high school experience?

I met many great friends and gave me something to look forward to every Friday.

Jarod Ruhl – Trumpet

What’s your favorite marching band memory?

An upperclassman dropping his mouthpiece during a run-through.

What advice would you give to new members or to the rookies when you leave?

Keep a good tone and be confident.

How has marching band impacted your high school experience?

It taught me how to manage my time and get to places on time.

Angelica Short – Alto Saxophone

What’s your favorite marching band memory

When I went to MetLife for my second year.

What advice would you give to new members or to the rookies when you leave?

Do your best and don’t give up.

How has marching band impacted your high school experience?

It made it better or it let me learn discipline better.

Telisha Ransome – Trumpet

What’s your favorite marching band memory?

…Rocking back and forth on the MetLife bus in shock…

What advice would you give to new members or to the rookies when you leave?

Develop the skill of marching faster.

How has marching band impacted your high school experience?

Depleted my patience meter.

Kaitlyn Hernandez – Clarinet

What’s your favorite marching band memory?

The away game at South, going to another section, and dancing/blasting pep tunes!

What advice would you give to new members or to the rookies when you leave?

Have fun. It sounds cheesy, but if you focus on only getting everything right/perfect, you forget how much fun it is.

How has marching band impacted your high school experience?

It has taught me, even though it was almost impossible, better time management skills. I have never met a group of people so close and personal. I will carry this experience for the rest of my life.

Isabella Caruso – Drumline (Snare)

What’s your favorite marching band memory?

Last 8th grade performance playing in the rain.

What advice would you give to new members or to the rookies when you leave?

Run.

How has marching band impacted your high school experience?

It has brought me so many life experiences and brought me some of my best friends. It has also taught me to tie my shoes.

Kristen Ingenito – Pit

What’s your favorite marching band memory?

Freshman year at MetLife when Drumline did shoutouts over the PA system- and mine was “Korsten, smile more!”

What advice would you give to new members or to the rookies when you leave?

Enjoy it, trust me, it flies! Remember, “Keith is a… SUPER-MAN!”

How has marching band impacted your high school experience?

It has given me my best friends, and a second family of 100+ kids.

Greg Ranzan – Alto Saxophon

What’s your favorite marching band memory?

The MetLife bus my first year.

What advice would you give to new members or to the rookies when you leave?

Always cherish the time with your friends.

How has marching band impacted your high school experience?

It’s a second family that you can lean on.

Andrew Huntsberger – Tenor Saxophone

What’s your favorite marching band memory?

Playing UNO on the Met Life bus with all of the seniors my freshman year

What advice would you give to new members or to the rookies when you leave?

Stay Involved, stay dedicated, and work hard, the feeling you get after doing all of those things is completely worth it.

How has marching band impacted your high school experience?

Check out a photo gallery of their most recent performances!

Gallery • 113 Photos