Saving the best for last is exactly what the school’s drumline did in its final performance of the year at Saturday’s Lewisville Drumline Invitational. Placing first in its division and second overall, the drumline was also awarded for captions for best snares and best tenors.

“I’m very proud of how we did at the competition,” tenor section leader Randa Shaqaidef said. “I wasn’t sure how we were going to place against other schools with a bunch of [last year’s] seniors and many of our directors leaving, but I think we handled it really well.”

The physical and mental demands were high as the group had been performing since 8 a.m.

“This particular day began with our performance in the Frisco Community Parade and ended with a final rehearsal and performance that night,” newly-appointed percussion director Robert Brannock said. “It was definitely a long day that tested our mental and physical ability to perform at that level, especially given the caliber of the groups competing.”

The group agrees that the hard work throughout the season had paid off, and that last night’s success sets a high standard for the future of the program.

“I feel it validates something we’ve talked about all season…do the right things the right way, all of the time,” Brannock said. “[This season] shows the potential of where we can go from here. I think it also speaks to the fact that we have some great talent in the program and that talent just surprised a whole lot of people this season.”