Keeping a tradition that Atlantic participated in for 70 years, the Trojan Guard will be parade marching in the Clarinda marching band competition. Band Director Jarrod O’Donnell said, “We decided to keep Clarinda marching because we have competed in it since it became a thing, and that’s a tradition I didn’t want to stop.” They will be leaving on Saturday morning and returning in the afternoon.

The Trojan Guard will be competing against eight other different schools in the 3A district, but can only receive an award from first to fifth place. Last year they received third place out of five schools. O’Donnell said that he hopes the Trojan guard can “do the best they can and get the best score possible.”

This year, the Trojan Guard will be parade marching with two new drum majors, juniors Riley Seufert and Josh Mclean. The head drum major is senior Megan Behrends. Seufert said, “When I was a freshmen I really admired the drum majors. They were so much fun and they were so good at what they were doing and so nice to everyone. I wanted to be like them.” Mclean decided to become a drum major because he “really likes marching, and likes playing his instrument, but doesn’t like doing both at the same times so he thought this would be a good solution”. Mclean also said, “I have a lot of natural leadership skills that I thought would help me take charge of the band and do well.” Behrends said, “I decided to become a drum major because I was a drum major in the junior high band.  I like being in charge and setting a good example.” The only difference for this weekend for the drum majors is that Mclean will be performing along with the band because he is the only baritone and there isn’t a place to put him to be a drum major.