Forsan band bound for Independence Day parade in Washington

By BILL MCCLELLAN News Editor

It's been the best-kept secret in West Texas but it is a secret no more.

Forsan High School Band has been chosen to represent Texas in the Independence Day Parade in Washington, D.C., on July 4.

"It's one of the biggest things that has happened to our community in a while," understated a happy Randy Johnson, Forsan Independent School District superintendent.

The 120-plus member band and about 30 sponsors will make the four-day trip, which, until now, has been planned under secrecy.

"We didn't want to let the students know for fear it would not work out and it would be a big disappointment," explained Band Director Jim Rhodes, who was notified of the band's selection in May.

"It was at the end of the year. The phone rang and a gentleman said 'your band has been chosen to represent the state of Texas in the Independence Day Parade in Washington,'" Rhodes recalled. "I said 'the..the..the what!' I thought it was a friend playing a joke."

But it wasn't a joke and Rhodes and Johnson immediately began working to see if the small school district could undertake such a large project.

"All summer we've been doing ground work for it. I met with the school board several times and swore them to secrecy," Rhodes said with a laugh. "All summer we kept this a secret.

"We chose today (Thursday) to break it to the kids. They looked at me like 'What did he say?' We dressed up and wore suits and jackets for the announcement and the students thought I was announcing my retirement."

With such a large contingency -- about 75 percent of the student body -- involved in the trip, administrators believe it will be a great educational experience. In fact, that's one thing that helped sell the school board on the trip.

"The school board embraced this as an educational trip, and indeed it will be a wonderful educational experience," said Rhodes.

While in Washington, the group hopes to tour the Smithsonian, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Lincoln Memorial, Capitol Building and the Washington Monument, among others.

"We're going to get to place a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which we actually had to clear through the military. There will be a ceremony. It should be very special," said Rhodes.

The group will be able to attend the July 4 performance of the National Symphony and attend the giant fireworks show that evening.

To be able to pull off such a huge trip will take some monetary help.

"We're going to have to do some fund-raising, see if we can get some companies maybe to help sponsor us," said Johnson. "We're hoping we can get the whole area to jump in and help because we feel this is not just about Forsan. We'll be representing the entire area."

"To transport nearly 160 people on an airplane is going to take an effort, money-wise," added Rhodes. "We're going to develop some fund-raising with the kids. The school board said they would help us out as much as they can, and we'll try to get a fund set up at a bank where people can donate. Finally, we're hoping to find a few corporate sponsors."

Details on how the public can help will be announced as soon as specific plans are formulated. In the meantime -- and despite working on the project all summer -- Johnson and Rhodes are obviously still overwhelmed with the good news.

"What an educational experience this is. What an honor," said Johnson.

"It is; It is a great honor," added Rhodes. "It's a great honor to represent Howard County."

Not to mention all of Texas.