TPS Band Students Take National Stage At Memorial Parade In D.C.

Tulsa Public Schools will be on the national stage next year - as an honor band has been selected to march in the national Memorial Day parade in Washington, D.C.

None of this would have happened without Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett nominating TPS for the honor.

Students from all nine Tulsa high schools will be represented in the band; it's an honor many can't believe.

More than 100 Tulsa Public Schools band students have the chance to represent TPS in the National Memorial Day parade in Washington, D.C. 

"This is probably one of the more exciting things that they've ever gotten to do. A lot of these kids have never even been out of the state," said Will Rogers High School band director, Ryan Lowe.

Lowe said it's an experience that is sure to benefit the young musicians.

"The discipline that comes along with performing, the responsibilities that they learned, the teamwork that they learn," he said.

For mellophone player Martessa Willis, it's a dream come true.

"It's my junior year so, like, it's a really big thing. It's really exciting,” she said.

And for freshman Dakota Ragsdale it's an inspiring opportunity to keep pursuing music.

"Just to kind of be put in something that is really, really, big around bands, and I kind of really, really love playing in band," he said.

Both Willis and Ragsdale have never visited our nation's capital.

Willis said, "I kind of want to see everything. I just want to go on a tour and see as much as I can."

"Just get to experience that whole historical aspect of D.C. is going to be a great experience for them," said Lowe.

So, to prep for the big day in D.C., the high school students are rehearsing music, practicing marching and taking part in Tulsa's Veterans Day parade on Friday.

Ragsdale said, "I just feel really happy that it is the district that I'm in because, if not, then I wouldn't be able to play in something really big like this."

Students need to raise $125,000 to make the trip.

There are some fundraisers being planned right now, and TPS said more information about how the community can help will be coming shortly.