Virginia Riva-Niccolini graduated from Gainesville High School in 2022 and served as section leader and percussion captain during her time there. She has taught private lessons in both piano and percussion, and currently studies percussion performance at the University of Florida. In addition to participating in the Alachua County High School Honor Band for four years, she has since played with the University of Florida Symphonic Band, Orchestra, Wind Symphony, and Percussion Ensemble. Virginia currently teaches the percussion students of GHS on and off the field.  

Paula Alfonso is originally from Pembroke Pines in South Florida. She has been at Gainesville High School for 16 Years. In her tenure at GHS the Marching Band has won two Marching Band State Championships, and the Colorguard has placed and won state Championships in FFCC in: B Class, AAA, and AA. As well as making finals at BOA and WGI Regionals. 

She is a member of the Florida Federations of Judges Association as well as a WGI Equipment Judge. Paula has judged for: FFCC, SFWGA, MCCGA, NJNJ, AIA, MAIN, and UCGC. Her Drum Corps experience includes: The Magic of Orlando, Crossmen, and the Cadets. Paula also has a vast indoor background performing with the following Independent World teams: The Alliance of Miami, Paradigm, and the Knights. Her experience in teaching programs ranges from High School,College Marching Band, Drum Corps, and A Class through the Independent World level. 

Paula resides in Gainesville Florida. She is the Human Resources Manager for HiLife Projects, teaches at local High Schools and at the University of Florida. She enjoys: Eco-Tourism, Running, and reading classic American literature. "Anyone who ever gave you confidence, you owe them a lot." - Truman Capote

Hey! I'm Sydney Wilson, an assistant coach for the color guard here at GHS. I'm a second-year student at Santa Fe College. My major is currently Exploring Health Sciences and I will be transferring into the Nursing program Fall of 2023. I completed 4 years of color guard in high school, both marching and winter guard seasons. I am going into my 2nd year with Florida Visual Ensemble at the University of Florida. Go Hurricanes, Saints, and Gators! 

Eleanna Rodriguez is from Cedar Park, Texas where she marched in the Cedar Park Middle School color guard and the Leander High School color guard. While in the Leander guard, she was a member of the weapon line and served as varsity captain from 2019-2021. In 2019, Eleanna competed in BOA Grand Nationals at Indianapolis with the Leander Band where they placed 5th in finals.

Currently, Eleanna is a student at the University of Florida where she is studying marine sciences.

I'm Sarah Weitz and I'm going into my second year of college. I spent my freshman year in Tampa, participating in a college band with the Herd of Thunder. I'm so excited to be back and working with the GHS band now. I grew up in Alachua County and band has been a part of my life since 2014, and although I'm majoring in Biology, this opportunity to keep music in my life is so exciting!  

I am Reed Samples and I am very excited to be a staff member in this prestigious marching band! I attended Wiregrass Ranch High School, where I marched baritone and played trombone in concert and jazz band. I was lucky enough to be a part of a great group not dissimilar from this marching band my senior year, winning FMBC 4A. I have also previously been a staff member at North Bay Haven Charter Academy. With my studies taking me to UF for Computer Science, this is a great opportunity to keep music in my veins and to be a part of an organization that has done so much.  

Logan Lemke is a recent graduate from the University of Florida with a Bachelors in Education Sciences with a focus in School, Society, and Policy. Logan is now a proud Alachua County Public School employee working at Loften High School. He has been playing clarinet since the 5th grade and was in the marching band throughout high school. In his time at UF, he was a proud member of the UF Fightin' Gator Marching Band, the Symphonic Band, and a brother of Kappa Kappa Psi-National Honorary Music Fraternity. He is now serving as a Board Member for the Gator Band Alumni Association.