The Lakeview Centennial High School Patriot Band is making history as they advance to the UIL State Contest for the first time!
The Lakeview Centennial High School Patriot Band is making history as they advance to the UIL State Contest for the first time! After years of hard work, dedication, and resilience, students and staff are thrilled to see their dreams come true with this incredible achievement.
Head Band Director Jared Hudler, who joined the team in 2016, has seen the band grow from a struggling group to a strong contender, making this moment even more special. Hudler recalls his first year at Lakeview, where the band placed second to last at the area competition, ranking 28th out of 29 bands. Over the years, the band consistently floated around the lower ranks, but a significant turning point came last year when they made the area finals for the first time since 2012. The progress they’ve made since then has been remarkable.
“Our main focus has been encouraging students to take ownership of their performance,” Hudler explained. “Each year, we find new ways to help them be individually accountable. We started with passing off specific skills and holding auditions for certain spots. Every week, students must pass off different requirements before they can wear their uniforms at games. This has built a strong sense of pride and commitment.”
The students have embraced their new responsibilities, and the morale within the band has soared. “When we have a disappointing result, they don’t give up. Instead, they figure out what needs improvement and try harder,” Hudler noted. “For instance, even though we didn’t schedule many rehearsals over fall break, the student leaders organized their own practice sessions because they wanted to be prepared.”
The band’s show this season, titled “Eternal Flame,” features exciting music and captivating visuals. The students have been working hard on their choreography, and Hudler is proud of how much they’ve developed their skills. “It’s amazing to see how much they’ve improved. We can keep adding new challenges, and they rise to the occasion.”
The emotions were overwhelming when the band learned they were heading to state. “They were crying happy tears,” Hudler said. “We knew we had made it when the fifth-place band was announced, and our name wasn’t called. It was an unforgettable moment!”
Hudler also emphasized the collective effort that has made this milestone possible. “LC has done great things with the students; this accomplishment belongs to everyone involved. It’s not just about the band; we need each other to succeed.”
As the band prepares for the state contest, they are eager to keep up their intensity and focus. “We’ve already made history once, and now we want to see how far we can go,” said Hudler.
The school will host a community send-off celebration at Homer B. Johnson Stadium on Sunday, November 3, at 12 p.m., to celebrate this remarkable achievement. “Eternal Flame” is a powerful show about a flame that’s nearly extinguished but rises again, stronger, brighter, and more colorful than ever. The event will give friends, family, and fans the chance to see the band’s full performance before they head to state.
In the event of inclement weather, the celebration will be moved to the LCHS gym located at 3505 Hayman Drive, Garland, TX 75043.
The Lakeview Centennial High School Patriot Band is ready to make its mark at the UIL State Contest, showing everyone that their unmatched spirit and dedication know no bounds.
Information and photo provided by Garland ISD.