By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–A group of Union City High School band seniors received their just reward last week.
Twenty-two of 27 UCHS senior band members were feted with a trip to Orlando over Spring Break for four years in the program during unprecedented times
Students and a group of 20 chaperones — including band directors Jason Deem and Joe Davis, school administration, and a handful of parents – enjoyed two days at Universal Studios and a day-long visit to Kennedy Space Center while in Florida.
The experience continued a band tradition that provides a significant trip for each class at some point during their four years at UC High School. The band has previously traveled to such destinations as Pasadena (CA), Hawaii, and Arizona – among other venues – performing in special events at several of those locations.
This year’s senior class of band members has endured several obstacles that made their time with the program anything but ordinary.
COVID-19 and the protocols during that pandemic canceled the group’s entire competition schedule during their junior marching season. Last fall’s schedule was only slightly better and significantly reduced in the number of performances, including canceling the annual Union City Invitational for the second straight year.
The band was also unable to take its scheduled every four-year trip last season due to continued restrictions at some venues.
“This was essentially a reward for the seniors’ perseverance,” Deem said of the trip that saw students bused to St. Louis before boarding a flight for Orlando. “COVID had a tremendous effect on what we were normally able to do with this group. From talking to several other band directors in our area, they had kids leave their programs because of the challenges of the pandemic.
“Our kids stayed the course, though, and I felt like this was a small token of appreciation that we were able to provide and reward them for their continued hard work, loyalty, and understanding.
“And our administration, from (Director of Schools) Mr. (Wes) Kennedy to our Assistant Director (Michael Paul Miller) to our principal (Jacob Cross) continue to be so supportive of our program and provide opportunities like this for all of our students.”