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The Polk County Cadets have had a busy semester. According to Band Director Kimberley Benson, the Cadets have had over 65 dates on their fall calendar, including practices, parades, football games, competitions and concerts. 

“This has been such a successful season for the band program at Polk County High School,” says Benson. “We have grown musically and competitively, and the kids have been so positive and cohesive. It has been really fun to watch the students come together as a band family and strive for excellence in everything they do.”

Benson attributes the success to the strong community ties in Polk County. 

“So many people make this happen; Coach Alm helping with our practice field, Mr. Ezell and Ms. Ballard driving our buses, the parents making dinners and coordinating fundraisers, our marching band staff, the list goes on. It takes a village, and we have a great one.”

Benson says the support from the Polk County Community Foundation is also invaluable to the band program’s success. 

“We are so blessed to have the ongoing support from the PCCF. They have made it possible for us to offer marching band free of charge to any Polk County student for several years now, and their grant makes all of the difference in our success. They have been incredibly supportive of us rebuilding the program following the fallout from the pandemic, and I am so grateful for all that they have done for our students”

The band has many exciting events coming up for the spring semester, including the All-District Band Festival, Solo and Small Ensemble Festival, and their spring concert. They are also hosting a Mattress Sale fundraiser on Saturday, February 24. The PCHS cafeteria will be turned into a mattress showroom from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with over 25 mattress sets on display. Financing and free delivery are offered and every purchase supports the band program. For more information about the fundraiser, concerts and other band events, check out the Polk County Friends of the Band on Facebook.