Photo by Natalie Baram

A picture of a project done by a high school engineering student.

Mahima Basker ‘28

STAFF WRITER

At the core of every sports game is an unmistakable energy that comes not only from the players themselves, but also from the audience, fueling the athletes forward and pushing them to play their very best. On January 30, the University of Delaware’s Blue Hens played against the Towson Tigers. However, rather than the typical energy source, much of the athletes’ fuel came from an unlikely source: the band students of Pocopson and Chadds Ford Elementary.

Since its inception in 2011, the tradition of playing for the game has become a rite of passage for band students over the years. Organized by Elementary School band director Kenneth Miller, it provides many students with their first opportunities to perform in front of a crowd. This experience exposes them to an essential part of the district’s band program for the first time. “With the University of Delaware pep band performing right next to us, it shows all our band students what they can be a part of if they keep playing their instrument, [encouraging] them to enjoy all it can offer,” says Miller.

The event, however, requires significant preparation. “The students had to learn and memorize all of the music for the game,” Miller reveals. Multiple parent chaperones were also arranged to help the kids stay in their seats and follow the band director’s cues. Above all, the event emphasizes the children’s growth as musicians and provides them with a unique first experience at a college basketball game.

Samhitha Basker, a fourth grader at Pocopson, thoroughly enjoyed her time, stating that “it was very fun and loud and exciting. We all did a great job.” The lively atmosphere of the game allowed kids to spend an energetic evening with friends, and even potentially introduce themselves to those from other schools they may have never met before. “It’s a lot of fun,” she adds with a smile. “I can’t wait until next year!”