Paoli High School - Hillcrest Yearbook (Paoli, IN)

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As time drew closer for the Pride to take the field, Dawn Miller applied the finishing touches to Amy Babcock’s make-up. Field Commander Jill McNutt had the best view of the Pride as she directed the ranks through a football halftime performance.

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Pride shoots for its peak Hours of practice in the hot sun did not seem to bother members of the guard, Abby Heinz, Carrie Foster, Bobbi Schedel, Teresa Hooten, and Stacey Kellams, as they held their heads high while polishing up a routine. The Pride of Paoli started out its 1983 marching season “aiming for a star.” From that point on the unit never fell out of step. As the season reached its final measure, the band set its sights on a state title. On October 29 the Pride was welcomed home with a police escort, and sirens proclaimed them state champions. The band’s rise to stardom did not come in one season. In 1980 Teresa Elliott came to PHS as a first year band director and began to mold the band into a success. With 90 individuals to syncopate, Director Elliott had a tough job in store for her. Three years later the band had grown to over 100 members. The Pride was a close knit family, and parents had become their number one fans. From braiding hair and applying makeup to dishing out over 300 sandwiches, the parents became the Pride’s backbone. Spirits and hopes were soaring as the band felt it could conquer all. After the Pride’s victory at district competition, they were on their way to the state finals at Terre Haute. Following their state triumph, the band decided to take it one step further. The group traveled to Johnson City, Tennessee, and became the smallest band in MBA history to compete in the Grand Nationals. While other band members practiced diligently on marching routines, Sam McManaway and Tony Graber practiced the comedy routine they performed on the long bus rides to competitions. Sweatshirts and jackets became common practice attire for Thuy Wells and other Pride members as they kept right on practicing during chilly fall evenings. 22 Pride of Paoli

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and reaches its star Percussionists Stefani Hill and Chris Noble exhibited the concentration that was necessary to make the Pride state champions. As a result of the Pride’s glorious moments, Cook Field was featured in a Louisville TV spotlight. In tune with the event, the entire student body from Throop to the high school as well as a number of townspeople gathered at the football field to watch the Pride in action. Band members and students were interviewed by the Channel 3 news, and “in synch’’ with its name, Paoli had something to be proud of. As the marching season came to an end, the Pride not only had reached its star, but it had become the star. Although the band will lose 12 seniors next season, their positions will be filled with new members. The victorious memories of the 1983 season will set a new tempo for ’84. A Cook Field exhibition allowed townspeople the opportunity to watch the band strut its stuff. Band became a way of life as Derek McNutt continued a family tradition. 24 Pride of Paoli