Union’s Pride Marches to Victory
The Pride of Union Marching Band from Union High School captured the 2A state championship at the Mississippi Bandmasters Association/Mississippi High School Activities Association competition on Oct. 26, 2024, in Brandon, Mississippi. This victory marks the band’s second consecutive title and their eighth overall championship.
Adam and Katie De Venney, the band’s directors since 2007, have led the program to sustained excellence. "It’s bittersweet," Adam De Venney reflected. "We’re going to miss the bus rides and after-school practices, but we’re also glad everything worked out."
The students, too, shared their excitement and pride. "Leaving on a win is amazing," said senior mellophone section leader Mason Bradley. "But it’s kind of sad to leave it all behind." For many seniors, including color guard captain Cecilia Burroughs, this year’s championship felt especially rewarding after months of intense practice. "We spent hours in the summer, sweating and freezing, making corrections," Burroughs said. "It’s fulfilling to know that we gave everything on the field."
Their championship performance, inspired by Avatar, was built around themes of unity and family. "The Avatar, the blue people, see each other as family," Bradley explained. "That’s the same way we see each other in the band—like family."
The road to the championship was marked by competitions at Ridgeland High School and Brandon High School, culminating in a qualifying event at Central. "We had to earn all superior ratings just to qualify for state," said De Venney. "And we did."
Union outperformed six other 2A bands in the final, earning top scores across multiple categories, including General Effect, Visual Performance, and Percussion. Their final score of 79.250 placed them first, beating Mize Attendance Center, who finished with 77.175. Sebastopol High School placed third with a score of 74.875.
Superintendent Tyler Hansford emphasized the band’s impact on the school and the community. "The community has come to expect it," Hansford said. "That kind of pressure can either crack pipes or make diamonds, and Mr. and Mrs. De Venney have figured out how to make diamonds."
The students also reflected on the life lessons learned through band. "It’s about pushing through adversity—showing up even when you don’t want to," Bradley said. "The question isn’t whether you make mistakes, but how you recover from them."
Deanna Rush, a band parent and school counselor, noted the importance of the connections formed between younger and older students. "Without the band, my son, a middle schooler, would never have built these relationships with older students," she said. "The program fosters friendships and support across all grades, making it unique."
While next year’s theme remains under wraps, the band members are savoring their hard-earned victory. "The support on championship day was surreal," said senior Landrey Hanna. "I’ve played sports all my life, and I’ve never experienced anything like it."
For the De Venneys and the entire band, the season’s end brings both satisfaction and nostalgia. "We’ll miss being around the kids every day," De Venney said. "Band isn’t just about the music—it’s about investing in their lives, and that’s something you can’t ever replace."
