TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE NATION FORD HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND, BAND DIRECTORS, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR AN OUTSTANDING SEASON AND TO COMMEND THEM FOR WINNING THE 2016 SOUTH CAROLINA BAND DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION CLASS AAAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that the members of the Nation Ford marching band of York County took top honors at the state competition held at Spring Valley High School in Columbia on Saturday, October 29, 2016; and

Whereas, to the delight of their faithful fans, the Nation Ford musical Falcons bested all other marching bands at the South Carolina Band Directors Association (SCBDA) state competition to bring home the band's sixth state trophy; and

Whereas, Nation Ford presented a performance entitled "Omega," based on Tchaikovsky's 4th Symphony, known as the Fate Symphony. Judging was based on color guard, visual ensemble, music ensemble, visual individual, music individual, drum line, drum major, and overall effect; and

Whereas, the Falcons accumulated 93.6 points in the competition, besting their previous winning score of 93.0 in 2015, and they received the judges' top honors for Best Visual performance; and

Whereas, while the school was classified as AAA, the marching band garnered three state championship trophies, and since the school classification graduated to AAAA, the program has continued to maintain the proud Falcon tradition by bringing home another three titles. They have marked championships in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, and now 2016; and

Whereas, on October 1, 2016, Nation Ford competed among twenty-eight bands from seven states in the regional Bands of America in Jacksonville, Alabama, where the Falcons won the Regional Band Champion title. They have accepted an invitation to perform in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City which will be televised on NBC; and

Whereas, in a field that demands discipline, perseverance, and talent, Director of Bands Martin Dickey and his skilled assistants maximized their own experience and passion to produce a championship-caliber team and teach these musicians lessons that will prove instrumental throughout life; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives value the pride and recognition that the Nation Ford musicians have brought to their school and their community and look to hear of their continued accomplishments in the days to come. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor the Nation Ford High School marching band, band directors, and school officials for an outstanding season and commend them for winning the 2016 South Carolina Band Directors Association Class AAAA State Championship title.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Principal Jason Johns and Director of Bands Martin Dickey.