JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Jacksonville high school band has earned a rare invitation to perform on a national stage, but they need the community’s help to make the trip a reality.
The Sandalwood High School band has been invited to march in the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C., next month. The band has raised just over $38,000 so far but needs to reach $60,000 to cover the cost of participating in the parade, travel, hotel and food.
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Students say the opportunity means everything to them.
“It would just be such an honor because, at least in Jacksonville, there’s only so many schools that are able to go and do things like this,” said Sophia Peugnet, a senior at Sandalwood High School. “We have like some of our art schools, some of bigger schools in Florida that are able to go on all these fun trips, but us at little old Sandalwood here in Jacksonville, it would just such an awesome opportunity to go to D.C.”
Junior Jaida Nealey echoed that sentiment, emphasizing just how much the band means to her and her fellow students.
“I am at Sandalwood four or five out of the seven days of the week every day and it means so much to me,” Nealey said. “We’re working so hard. So, to be able to go out and show people our hard work and how much effort we put into this, it would just mean so much. So, help us out if you can.”
Those interested in donating to the Sandalwood High School band can find the link here.