Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Green Valley students rally for band members in D.C.

GVHS Inauguration Preparation

Green Valley High School prepares for the presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C. by squeezing one last practice in before the big event.

Green Valley Band goes to Washington

Green Valley High School marching band members Andrew Avanessian, right, and Sam Shields, center, practice Thursday. The Green Valley High School marching band is performing at the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama. Launch slideshow »

Members of Green Valley High School's marching band had one major goal when they played in President Barack Obama's inauguration parade Tuesday: They wanted to play "Viva Las Vegas" when they passed the viewing stand, as a tribute to their home.

They were able to do so, but their friends at home weren't all able to see it. Because the parade started more than an hour late, the band, which marched in the middle of the procession, didn't pass until nearly 3 p.m., more than 30 minutes after school was released.

The excitement of the inauguration and of Green Valley students performing was palpable throughout the school day, however. For the last couple hours of school, teachers showed the inauguration coverage in their classrooms, and most students found themselves watching the motorcade and parade, waiting for the moment when their friends' faces would be plastered on the screen.

Some students were less worried about what their classmates were doing and more excited they didn't have to take notes, but a few were disappointed to miss the parade, noting they could at least still watch at home.

Several, especially those who were part of the fine arts department at the school, were proud to know their friends had been chosen to march on such a historic day.

"I feel like it's an honor to be part of the fine arts at Green Valley," junior Kristina Walker, a member of the dance team, said.

Fellow student Brianne Johnson felt the same. A member of the orchestra, Johnson has had her own successes — the school's orchestra recently came back from Chicago's Midwest Clinic. She said that, while more people may see the inauguration parade, experiences like these help the students and the programs develop as a whole.

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