On April 20, the Cardinal Pride Band attended the state contest in Pratt. The group played the songs: “When the Stars Began to Fall” and “Escape from the Deep.” This was the first state competition that band director Stephanie Bodley directed for Conway. 

For the past 16 years, the band has gotten straight I ratings at state, but this year the band got two I’s and a II rating. This caused a little disappointment among the band. 

“I feel like the judges were way too picky about stuff,” junior Hayden Dalbom said. 

Some band members were not very upset about getting a II rating. 

“I think it was good that we got a high II, so I am not upset,” freshman Britanna Finley said. 

While playing, some band members experienced some challenges. 

“[A challenge I had was] staying in tune and trying to find the right tone,” freshman Sylvester Hemburger said. 

After the band played, they got to listen to a few other schools play and see their competition. 

Before the band arrived in Pratt, they got to stop in Kingman to eat McDonald’s. 

“My favorite part was going to McDonalds before,” Dalbom said.