TOWAMENCIN – On Tuesday night, family members and friends of the Marching Knights, as well as other community members, gathered very closely together to keep warm but more importantly to celebrate the band’s accomplishments throughout the long season.
The night began with a performance from the combined middle school band, consisting of Penndale, Pennbrook, and Pennfield musicians along with the color guard, which provided a visual for the band. The ensemble played a few songs including “Party Rock Anthem” then cleared the turf field for the high school band members.
Following the middle school performance, the underclass members of the color guard formed a path on the turf field as the senior band members lined up and waited patiently for each of their names to be called. Escorted by family and friends, each senior was individually recognized as a member of the long-time North Penn tradition and took the attention of the community.
Senior Alyssa Padilla, color guard member, shared her emotions on the final performance and on her years of membership on the Marching Knights.
“Knowing that it is [her] last year makes [her] enjoy every moment so much more” and that she has “made so many lifelong friends and could not have asked for a better experience,” said Padilla.
When senior recognition was complete, the upperclassmen along with the remainder of the band took center field for their performance. With a theme of FDR: An American Spirit, the band played a few different selections while a commentator cited facts about FDR’s life and accomplishments towards America. Color guard provided the accompanying visual with flags, swords, rifles, and dancing as the musicians marched in perfect unison. The large group stood proud, postured, and no doubt a little frozen, on the field as the final musical selection ended.
As the North Penn Marching Knights’ final performance for the 2012 season came to a close, the crowd of close peers and family defrosted their hands to applaud the successful ensemble and show their love and support.
Color guard members look forward to participating in the indoor season and senior members of the band reflect on their time as marching knights and say goodbye to the sharp blue and white uniforms and feathery helmets, hoping to continue their love for music in the future.
At the end of the night, Senior Alex Miller shared her feelings toward her final performance and reflected on her time as a Marching Knight.
“Being a four year member [I’ve] just [been] looking forward to this [night] for a very long time. [I’ve put] in so many hours and [I’m] walking away with memories and great friendships.”
She will never forget the memories and friendships she established during her four year color guard membership but her favorite part of being a North Penn Marching Knight was “keeping the tradition alive.”