Winning Is A State Of Mind

Yesterday just after noon, my school family had the pleasure at school of seeing our Hometown Heroes off as they headed to State Marching Band Competition. 

It's one of the perks of small-town living for sure!

Tonight I'm coming off an incredible, natural high after spending the day at the Alamo Dome in San Antonio watching the 28 high school marching bands that made it to State. I met my two older children there to watch our youngest, Joshua, compete with his band family.

Here's how it works: There are 250 4A-sized high schools in our state; bands who score a Division 1 rating advance out of their district to Area, then one band for every five advances to State.

In our area, that was four bands. Two of those bands, Friendswood and Dawson, made it out of the preliminary competition and headed in the top ten bands to finals competition. 

Click {here} if you would like to watch this year's show, 

Metallic Treasures.

This year's competition was tougher than ever, 

and we ended up ranking fifth in the State of Texas. 

Here's what I know ... there will be some disappointment with fifth place. Because we set our standards high. And because of how hard we've worked. And because of the illusion of the illustrious gold medal that we've created over the years. 

But here's what else I know ... winning is a state of mind. Because there were thousands of students who didn't even get a trip to the Alamo Dome today because they didn't advance out of their district or their area. 
So just getting there makes us winners. 

Making magic with a band 271-members strong makes us winners. 

Placing in the top five at State for the 7th time makes us winners.

And leaving it all on the field, heart and soul, makes us winners.

So tonight before I turn in, I'm thanking all of the directors and anyone who had a hand in mentoring, guiding, counseling, teaching, and loving our children so that they can be the best that they can be. I am inspired and humbled by the gift that you've given to our future. Please accept our most sincere gratitude for sharing your time and your talents.

And I'm congratulating each and every one of those thousands of musicians and guard members who performed at State, whether you ranked in the top ten or not. Your diligence, devotion, dedication and drive will take you places that you can't even imagine going. Keep up the good work and thank you for being role models to the kids on the curb who want to be just like you one day.