On October 4th, James Madison University held their 47th annual Parade of Champions marching band competitions, with over fifty high schools in the state participating. Ending with 260 points in music, 325 in general effects, and 221.5 in visuals, the Lightridge Marching Storm achieved 3rd place in Class 5A with a final score of 80.3. 

“I was really worried that people would be kind of thrown off by the audience and different markings on the field– it was our first time performing in a big college stadium– and that’s something I was worried about when I was a young marcher,” said Drum Major Sharanya Tumma. “Between high school and college fields, the markings are slightly larger, making it easy to underestimate placements as an inexperienced marcher.”

“I thought other bands would do better than us, but we worked really hard on our show so when we placed third, it felt really rewarding and deserved,” said marcher Nidhi Konnur.