By KELLY STILES | The Arkadelphian

The Arkadelphia High School Badger Pride Marching Band ended their competition season with a “bang,” becoming 7-time 4A state champions on Tuesday, Nov. 1, at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. Out of over 20 schools, Badger Pride earned a 1st division rating and the scores of High Musical and High Visual. The competition started at 3 pm and ended at 7:40 pm, as each school was given 15 minutes to perform.

“Hard work pays off,” Millie Babb, sophomore color guard member, said.

The AHS band’s 11-minute competition show entitled “The West that Was” portrays the desire to go back home. A saloon prop at the back of the set signifies “home,” as band members continuously try to get closer to it throughout the performance. The musical component of the show contains songs such as “Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash, “Underground” by Cody Fry, and “Earth Song” by Michael Jackson.

Badger Pride, consisting of 127 students, is under the guidance of band director Brandon Hanlon and assistant directors Lori Hanlon, Ryan Wilkerson, and Stephen Watson.