The band performed in the High Plains Marching Festival on Monday morning. They performed the same arrangement they performed at WAC but received much better results.

They received perfect scores for all of the songs they played. Students, like senior Rachelle Lumpkins, believe part of the reason that the scores from WAC and the festival at Fort Hays differ so much is due to unbiased judges.

“It was great to play somewhere that had rules unlike WAC,” Lumpkins said. “Since it’s my senior year it was nice to get perfect scores.”

Senior Alayna Arnold agrees that WAC was judged unfairly. She said the band received an email from the judges at WAC shortly after saying there were problems with the scoring.

“Everyone thought it was Great Bend’s fault because of our rivalry,” Arnold said. “That festival was so upsetting since it was my last time playing there.”

Lumpkins agreed that the outcome of WAC brought the attitude of group down.

“After WAC we were all really disappointed,” Lumpkins said. “But we really stepped it up for Fort Hays and played our best.”

However, according to Lumpkins, the perfect scores from the most recent festival make up for the unwanted scores from WAC.

“It was great and I’m very proud of it,” Lumpkins said. “After WAC I think everyone realized that it was serious.”

18agonzalez@usd489.com