Jenks Trojan Pride Band Returns To Oklahoma After Performing In Rose Bowl Parade

The Jenks High School Trojan Band is home from Pasadena, California, after being one of less than 20 bands selected to play in the Rose Bowl Parade.

The students flew into the Tulsa International Airport Wednesday evening.

The students say they are exhausted but so grateful they were able to go to Pasadena for this trip of a lifetime.

Related Story: 'They Worked So Hard': Jenks Students Perform In Rose Bowl Parade

Hundreds of Jenks students are home from a one-week trip to California to play in one of the biggest parades in the world.

One of those students is Jack Paschal.

"It felt like we had accomplished something that we've been waiting for for a really long time,” said Paschal. “We worked really hard for all of it, I think it really paid off with how everyone felt."

But Paschal’s story is a little different than that of some of his bandmates.

Paschal grew up watching the Rose Bowl Parade go from his front yard in Pasadena.

"I started having an interest in it when I saw marching bands in the Rose Parade, so it was always kind of in the back of my mind,” said Paschal. “When I got to play Trumpet in 6th grade, that was something that I can achieve."

His mother, Alex Paschal, says she was so happy to see her son play on such a big stage, one they all know so well.

"When it was announced, I don't even think people in Tulsa realized what a big deal the Tournament of Roses is,” said Alex. “There are millions of people lining the streets, there are millions of people across the world tuning in to see it."

She says she’s proud of her son but isn’t surprised he accomplished his goal.

"I'm so glad he got to do it,” said Alex. “I don't even think he realized what a big deal it was because it's been so long since we've been back that he just knew that's where he fell in love with marching bands. He's sort of never doubted it. A lot of people say, 'Oh, his dream came true.' I don't think he ever dreamed it, I think he always just planned it."

This was only the second time Jenks had played in the Rose Bowl Parade, and it took them more than a year to get everything together to make it happen.