Sweeny High School - Bulldog Yearbook (Sweeny, TX)

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2 B a n d Musical Season Crescendos to Sweepstakes, State Recognition lt's the largest group on campus and is easily the Ioudest-- especially on Fridays. The 120-plus member Bulldog Band is often referred to as the Pride of Sweeny . Dozens of appearances annually include football games, pep rallies, assemblies, UIL contests and a score of special events. Directors Gary T. Forse, Harold Spencer and Anna Ruth Hickey implemented some changes that gave the group a more distinctive look and sound. With new uniforms and a change in marching style from military to the more popular corps style, the band gave a dazzling new audio-visual impact that Forse described as being limited only by one's creativity. The addition of a co-drum major and an auxiliary flag line helped form a moving, colorful backdrop to the band performances. A new spin-off group, the Pep Band , was formed to promote spirit and to bring popular music to more listeners and more occasions. The 30-member group, selected from among the best players, provided more flexibility in fulfilling invitations to perform. Beginning Nov. 3 at the Region Xlll UIL Marching Contests in Victoria, all the new changes and hard work paid off. Sweeny eamed straight first divisions in a field of 14 competing bands, an achievement shared only by the Brazos High School Band. After a few more weeks of stringent rehearsal, the Bulldog Band received the prestigious Sweepstakes trophy in the spring after gleaning straight first divisions in both concert and sightreading competition at Vanderbilt. Based on sweepstakes performances, Sweeny was selected as Region Honor Band in a contest pitting tape recorded performances of top groups in tough competition. ln May, the band was notified of its selection as a candidate for State Honor Band. ln addition to many contest victories, Sweeny also picked up a first division rating' for concert performance at the Sandy Lake Amusement Park Fun-Fest near Dallas during the April spring trip. l felt this performance was one of the most exciting of the year, commented Forse. Billed as one of the largest music festivals of its type, the Fun-Fest featured renowned judges like Jerry Nowak who described the band's performance as exceIlent . Selection to the 3-A Honor Band title will give Sweeny band members an opportunity to perform at the Texas Music Educatofs Convention in February.

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Bulldoe Belles Bulldog Belles Beautify School, Community Events RIGHT: Freshmen Rhonda Finley makes the best ol initiation at drill team camp-- pony- tailed hair, inside-out clothes, etc. ABOVE: Between rainshowers, Belle brigade members perlorm for the residents of Sweeny House. The girls often performed for of!-campus events. RIGHT: Reatta Stewart is awarded the Miss Halltime USA title at summer camp. Ronda Richmond also received the honor. SECOND RIGHT: Brigade girls show up the cheerleaders with this living monument to Bulldog spirit during a November pep rally.