The Santa Maria High School Saints Band took first place at the annual Elks Rodeo Parade high school band competition, including a grand prize of $500 from Mega 97.1 FM and Home Motors.
The band has received the honor for four consecutive years, and won first place this year for a performance of “When the Saints Go Marching In,” arranged by the band director Ulises Valdivia.
Santa Maria High School senior Edwin Pena has been in the band since his freshman year and helped the ensemble achieve victory each year, he explained in a statement released by the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District on June 5.
“The band has taught me the meaning of working together, dedication, and what family is,” he said.
More information is available through the district at 709-1454 or kklein@smjuhsd.org.
This article appears in Jun 11-18, 2015.