Senate Concurrent Resolution 577

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE LEWISBURG HIGH SCHOOL "MARCHING PATRIOTS" BAND AND DIRECTOR KIM HALLMARK FOR WINNING SEVEN CLASS 5A STATE MARCHING BAND CHAMPIONSHIPS.

WHEREAS, for the seventh year, the Lewisburg High School Marching Patriots won the Class 5A State Marching Band Championship on October 31, 2018, in Pearl. Months of long hours and hard work have again paid off for members of the Lewisburg High School Marching Band, and for the seventh time, the 183-member organization can call themselves "State Champions," as they have grown a band dynasty; and

WHEREAS, not only did Lewisburg win the overall crown for the seventh time in school history, but the band placed first in all of the categories the 13 organizations were judged on during their performance, a rare occurrence in these types of events. The five areas each band is judged on and the areas that Lewisburg finished first in all are: color guard, percussion, general effect, music performance, and visual performance; and

WHEREAS, the Marching Patriots competed against 14 Class 5A bands in the preliminary round. Six of those bands were chosen for finals. In the final round, Lewisburg High School placed First and brought home the State Championship. The Lewisburg High School Band has a rich history of championships, winning seven State Championships (2009, 2010, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018) and four State Runners-Up. In addition to the last five consecutive State Championships, Lewisburg has won three other state titles and has finished no less than second in the twelve-year existence of the program; and

WHEREAS, the success of the Lewisburg Band Program is an indication of the direction of Kim Hallmark in her 11th year at Lewisburg. Hallmark, a native of Hernando and 2004 graduate of Hernando High School, inherited a successful program four years ago where she was Assistant Band Director and head of the middle school program ever since she graduated from The University of Mississippi, not including a brief time with elementary school music at Chickasaw Elementary School before being transferred to Lewisburg; and

WHEREAS, there are 178 students (38 Seniors) in the Band/Color Guard who have worked exceptionally hard since July when Band Camp began. They have also competed in multiple local competitions, winning several awards. The students and staff have gone above and beyond to do their best and achieve their goals through hard work and discipline. The band also has an exceptional "field crew" made up of many dads who volunteer much of their time. The Lewisburg High School Marching Patriots' staff includes: Kim Hallmark, Director; and Ben McLemore and Nelson Coile, who were instrumental in the success of the Lewisburg High School Band Program; and

WHEREAS, the Championship program was one that not only was musically entertaining, but had a meaningful message to its audience. The program focused on Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai, who has tirelessly worked for more education to women in a country that does not put an emphasis on teaching to girls. Yousafzai is the youngest winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. Marching band programs are not put together overnight. "We have been planning since February," Hallmark explained. "The students received part of the music in May and then we did a couple of summer rehearsals, but not many. We start band camp in the last two weeks in July before school starts." State evaluations earlier in the month selected the bands that could move on to the State Competition. A total of 13 made the cut and were in Pearl for the finals. Several judges score the performance, including two actually on the field while the band performs. Others are in the press box and judging such things as music and visual general effects and performance, the percussion section and the color guard; and

WHEREAS, not only does success come from the talents and dedication of the students, but also from a strong support group among band parents and the community. What began as a goal to win State Championships has turned into much more; and it is with great pride that we recognize this dedicated group of student musicians who have brought honor to their school, their community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Lewisburg High School "Marching Patriots" Band and Director Kim Hallmark for winning a band "dynasty" seven Class 5A State Marching Band Championships, and extend the best wishes of the Legislature to the band, directors, parents and sponsors for future success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Director Kim Hallmark of the Marching Patriot Band and Lewisburg High School Principal Chris Fleming, forwarded to the DeSoto County Board of Education, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.