Written by Ainsley Hall and published in The Journal on August 18, 2025, link to article HERE.
MARTINSBURG — Martinsburg High School’s band was presented with the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Sweepstakes check on Aug. 13. After marching in the parade earlier this year, the Bulldogs earned the highest score.
When Band Director Casie Adams joined Martinsburg High School, she knew she wanted to have the band participate in the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Parade. The school hadn’t participated in many years, and it was a parade that Adams remembered attending growing up. So when the opportunity opened up, Adams was eager to get her students to join.
On Aug. 13, Chris Martin, vice president of the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival, presented a trophy and check to the band as a reward for earning the top score. As he spoke with the band, he reflected on how the parade fell on the same day as the Martinsburg High School prom, but the band still wanted to participate. To try to make it work, they pushed the Bulldog Band to the front. Despite the stress, the students did well and made it back to prom on time.
“Your performance was tremendous,” Martin said. “I’m sure Ms. Adams has talked to you guys about how our competitions work but typically scores go up the further back you are in a parade. You were up front and still got the highest score.”
They went up against 13 other bands and won by 1.2 points, earning the $10,000 sweepstakes. Adams said the money will go toward getting band uniforms for new students as they begin the new school year. Martins was also joined by Shaun Evans, director of athletic bands at Shenandoah University.
“Without you, our parade is not as great as it is,” Evans said. “You are what makes our parade phenomenal. So we love having you come join us, be a part of the parade and then also, like Chris said, you won, and you were first. That’s huge. I taught high school band for a number of years and that was the scariest place to be.”
Evans congratulated the band on their success and said he looked forward to hearing more from them in the future. Evans and Martin then gave the band the check and trophy to recognize their achievement.
The Band’s 46th Band Spectacular is also coming on Sept. 27. A total of 18 bands from around the region will gather at Martinsburg High School to compete and perform for the public. Guests are invited to come out to Cobourn Field at 4 p.m. to watch and support the bands.