The Maverick band participated in its first competition of the year Oct. 3 with positive results: ranking seventh in the preliminary round to advance to finals. The band finished the night in third place.

“We advanced to Finals and had a much better performance,” band director Jason Dimiceli said. “That improvement helped us jump up to third place. It was very exciting for the students to hear their name on the loudspeaker announced as the bronze medalist.”

The band competed against 20 other bands from the Central Texas area at the Vista Ridge Marching Festival.

“I was really excited,” senior Diana Kim said. “Our band has improved so much this year: new directors, new uniforms, new marching style, and I was just ready to show it off to everyone. We ended up getting third place which made it even more exciting.”

With all the changes to the band, students predict that this is just the beginning with a great year ahead.

“We have been practicing for months and months,” junior Mindy Lee said. “I feel like the band will reach our goals this year and set even more.”