Winter Percussion Ensemble performs for Plymouth High School student body before their state finals in Indianapolis. Photo by: Janessa Salazar

By Janessa Salazar

On Saturday March 23rd,WPE traveled to Indianapolis for state finals. Competing with schools from all over the state, they performed at Ben Davis High School. As the day went on, they performed their original show called Cybernetics, and eventually the results came in. They learned that they had placed 9th and got a high visual score. Placing 9th in the state, freshman Eric Burch explained that they had placed exactly where they thought they would and that he was happy with their results.

Thinking back from the beginning to now, junior Marissa Hill said, “…..I have improved my technique so much over the 3 years I have been in it.” To them this was an improvement over the course of the program this season. Agreeing with Hill, freshman Blake Keefe explained that, “lots of people pushed themselves fairly hard,” from the beginning of the season. Having fun, but also competing in state was something that Keefe liked about WPE.

Members gather for the drum line section of their show called Cybernetics. Photo by: Janessa Salazar

Members from WPE were not the only ones who worked very hard during the season. There were a few adults and some students who helped with this program as well. The director of this ensemble, Mr. Bryan Ames, along with Mr. Arnsbarger and Mr. Ryan Johnson were a large part of the program. Junior Jessica Beagle said, “I thought it was a really cool and [a] successful show.”

Now that the season is over, all they can do is wait till next season. Hill said, “I enjoyed it. It’s fun and cool to pretend to be a robot.” Next year will be a whole new show and a whole new level of competition for not only the students, but for the director Mr. Ames and those involved in the program that helped along the journey to state.