2018 proved to be another successful marching band season for the Polk County Cadets, representatives said.

The long hours of work put forth by the Cadets beginning with band camp in the summer paid off, as the band earned a number of awards and honors at fall competitions.

The Cadets titled their 2018 performance “Time Machine.” The show included three songs — “Clocks,” featuring soloist Dylan Ballentine; “Hourglasses and Sundials,” with a duet by Jacob Grigg and Jillian Snyder; and “Digital Clocks,” with soloist Itzel Avellaneda.

Honors earned by the band this fall included:

Cedar Cliff Classic

Oct. 6, A.C. Reynolds High School

• Second Place Drum Major

• First Place Percussion

• First Place Guard

• First Place Music

• First Place Visual Effect

• First Place Overall Class 2A

• Grand Champion, Silver Division

Trojan Tournament of Bands

Oct. 13, Chase High School

• First Place Drum Major

• First Place Percussion

• First Place Guard

• First Place Music

• First Place Visual Effect

• First Place Overall Class 2A

Burns Cup Marching Invitational

Oct. 20, Burns High School

• First Place Drum Major

• First Place Percussion

• First Place Guard

• First Place Music

• First Place Visual Effect

• First Place Overall Class 2A

• Grand Champion, Silver Division

• Grand Champion, Classes 1, 2,3 and 4A

The Cadets are directed by Cindy Gilbert with assistance from Matt Putnam and Jennifer Carney. Financial support from the Polk County Community Foundation enables students to join the Cadets, with PCCF providing funding for student band fees for the past three years. 

Others involved include:

Drill: Mr. Matthew Putnam

Staff: Brittany Stein, Katie Duncan, Spencer Taunton and Norman Moore

Drum Major: Demoi Millett

Band Captain: Jillian Snyder

Guard Captains: Paige McIntyre, Tatianna Carey

Percussion Captain: Ariel Ballard

Brass Captain: Jacob Grigg

Woodwind Captain: Dustin Holden

Equipment Captains: Dylan Ballentine, Itzel Avellaneda, Calista Cline, Tyler Twitty and Claire Packer

Logistics Captain: Ellie Booth

– Submitted by PolkStudents.com