The HHS band and colorguard went on an over-night trip to Sandusky, Ohio from April 19 to April 22. Each year the band goes on a trip to different states that holds a competition. This year the HHS band brought home a superior rating–the highest overall rating the judges can give–at the exhibition at the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame.

The HHS band trip students had to be at the high school by 4 a.m. on April 19 so they could get their luggage checked and have a short meeting. Then it was time to board the bus for the nine-hour trip from Hawthorne to Cleveland, OH.

When the band members finally got to Cleveland, they took a tour of the Greater Cleveland Aquarium and then got a trolley tour through the streets of Cleveland. After touring Cleveland and learning about Cleveland’s past, the members ate at the Hard Rock Café.

Then it was back on the bus for another hour to get to the Kalahari Resort in Sandusky. After unloading the bus and settling into their rooms the students went to the Kalahari Resorts indoor waterpark, which is the largest waterpark in the U.S.

Over the weekend the band had many fun moments like when they attended a stage play of the Addams Family, toured the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame, preformed outside of the Hall of Fame, and went to the Haunted Manor. “I had a fun time on the trip. The best part of the trip was the indoor waterpark,” said Julian Cabling a third year band member.

The trip was not all play and fun, however. On Saturday, the band and colorguard preformed for adjudication. They played   “American Pride” arranged by Allen Gray and “Sousa” arranged by Steve Barnett.  For their hard work, the band got an overall rating of superior. The band members also went to Case Western Reserve University to practice music with the music director. The guard met with the university’s colorguard and dance team instructor.

Finally, on Sunday morning it was time to leave. The bus left Kalahari at 8:45 a.m. and got back to Hawthorne High School around 5:30 p.m. Even though it wasn’t good weather in New Jersey, the band students were happy to be home and to be with their families.