AUBURNDALE, WI (WAOW TV-WSAU) – The Auburndale High School Band is celebrating as their band was selected to perform in the 2023 Pearl Harbor Day Parade on December 7th.
The students learned about the news around one month ago and they’re still buzzing from the news.
“We were kind of shocked and then we were like, oh my gosh, we’re going to Hawaii,” said Molly Jewell, trumpeter for the Auburndale band.
While the trip may be the highlight, for Jewell, there’s something special about a small Wisconsin school representing the badger state abroad.
“You don’t see this very often,” said Jewell. “This is really cool that we get to do this because we’re a really, really small school.”
The band is set to perform three different times during the trip. Once on the deck of the U.S.S. Missouri, the parade’s opening, and during the parade itself.
Band Director Jenni Nueske says the trip means more than just a marching parade. “It’s an honor to be able to give back to veterans,” said Nueske.
Before the trip, the band needs help to get everyone and their equipment to Hawaii. They currently have fundraisers going on right now and others during the course of 2023.
“Right now, we’re selling Kwik Trip cards, and then we’ve got a lot planned,” said Nueske. “Basket raffles, snow shoveling, and some stuff at our festival this Summer.”
For those looking to contribute, the band and school will keep up with upcoming fundraisers on their Facebook pages.
