A small blue pin found by students on the marching field could have been nothing,

But for the Redhawks marching band, it led to an emotional moment that helped provide the framework for the season. 

Showing the pin, which represents colon cancer, to band director Ana Hinojosa Santi, the students likely didn’t expect the emotional response that followed. 

“Losing my father to colon cancer seven months ago was life changing,” Hinojosa said. “He was my first love and my hero and will continue to be. We had a special connection not only because I was his daughter, but I was born on Father’s Day.”

Colon cancer is expected to claim approximately 53,000 lives in 2024 so upon hearing what the pin meant to her, the band’s student leadership team decided to buy colon cancer pins for the Redhawks marching band to wear, much like students at MacArthur High School in Irving had done at Hinojosa’s previous school.

“I was unaware that this was planned so when I walked up to [the] stands and Nolan made me aware, I was speechless,” Hinojosa said. “I couldn’t believe that a group of young adults who are still getting to know me cared so much about my situation. It proved to me that this was the best decision I could have made in my life, coming here and being a part of the Liberty Band…I walked away for a second to cry. It truly meant the world to me.”

Wearing the pins helps band members such as senior Max Dowd feel closer to Hinojosa and unified as one band.

“[The colon cancer pins are] significant because it lets us support Mrs. Hinojosa, since her dad was such an important person to her that she still draws on for support,” Dowd said. “The pins connect us to each other, Mrs. Hinojosa, and ultimately to her dad.”

With Hinojosa spending time with the band trying to get to know each member as individuals, Redhawks such as junior Nolan Koons felt the band needed to do something to reciprocate their feelings. 

“The reason I wanted everyone to wear them was because I wanted her to feel welcome into our band and our family,” junior Nolan Koons said. “We didn’t know much about her and I just wanted her to know that we all care about her, the whole band thanks her for all of the hard work and dedication she has put in for us, it’s the least we can do for her.”

Hinojosa was overcome with joy seeing her students wear the pin, and she believes it’s a sign that her dad is looking out for the Redhawks. 

“The pins the Liberty Band wears are the same ones my family and my old students wore after his passing,” Hinojosa said. “To find a random pin on the marching field was a sign that my father is watching over me and all the students. He always knew how much my students meant to me, so I believe that this was a sign that he is taking care of all of us. ‘What are the odds that the same pin would be in the middle of the marching practice field?”’