-Marching Band Sports New Uniforms

It took three years and $65,000 to give the Dynamite Rays what they deserved --official uniforms. Not any type of uniform, but a marching band uniform which has given them a new look and a stronger sense of pride.

The marching band looked very professional and stunned the crowd at the Veterans Day parade from Addelita Cancryn Junior High School to Roosevelt Park . The Dynamite Rays got most of their attention from the uniforms’ bright colors and sharp design.

“I absolutely love the marching band. I'm happy, excited, and very ecstatic,” said Dr. Sharon Ann McCollum, Kean High Principal. She gave credit to Senator Carlton Dowe for initiating the $65,000 appropriation for the marching band.

The marching band had been waiting for this moment for quite some time, and from the looks on their faces, they were proud to wear such an amazing uniform. “It felt really awesome to get to wear the uniform because it felt like I was part of a professional marching band,” said Orlando, a tenth grade member in the band.

These uniforms come with everything that a marching band needs to dress officially: a jacket, an overlay, spats, suspenders, and a tall hat with a feather at the top.

They definitely displayed their unity in the Veterans Day Parade. That was a big shining moment and also a big change for the Dynamite Rays who had come from just wearing polo shirts.

“They enjoy working together; they get along well,” said Mr. Colin Hanley, a drafting teacher in Kean.” I do enjoy to see the band play, and I also enjoy the way they present themselves.”

Way before getting to wear their uniform, members of the marching band had to work hard and showcase their talents to get a chance to be in the band.

Members quickly learn that when they join the Dynamite Rays, it’s a whole new life full of commitment and dedication that takes them far beyond four walls. “Being in the band is much harder than being in the audience watching. I love this band,” said a freshman who is new band member.

”To me it takes a lot of heart and dedication to be in a marching band. You must always have confidence,” said Ms. Natasha Wright, a member of the Science Department and a great supporter of the Dynamite Rays. ”Our band is the best,” she says. “As far as the band commitment goes, they’ve got it under control.”

Membership in the marching band, just as life, comes with many difficulties and obstacles that the band must overcome, just as a family would. The marching band spends many hours training together.

Everybody that is in the marching band has to be in the concert band, which practices on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. On Saturdays, the marching band works on every weak spots of performance. That includes dancing; if one member doesn’t know how to dance, it looks like the band doesn't know how to dance.

The dancers’ top priority is to highlight the band members’ dance routine. "In marching band I feel free and encouraged when it comes to dancing, " says Orlando Martinez, a member of the marching band.

“I would rather follow the Dynamite Rays because they display their skill and show us what we want to see, ” said a band member’s parent. ”They practice on every little detail. That's why people come out to see the band perform.”

This year the marching band is off to a good start. There are still more events that will be even more difficult and of greater importance to the Dynamite Rays, for example, the Battle of the Bands and the Spring Concert. ”I can hardly wait until these events come,” said an enthusiastic fan from audience at the school’s Christmas concert.

“I've seen lots of improvements done compared to the first time that the Dynamite Rays came out; they are more active,” said Carmen Virginia Pena, who is great supporter of the Dynamite Rays.

“I'm very happy with what they’ve accomplished,” said Juana De La Cruz, a member’s relative.

“We are ready for those Chicken Hawks; this is our time, our year, and we are determined to win, " added several members of the band as they gathered in the band room to discuss the upcoming Battle of the Bands. “We are glad to have Ms. Donadelle as a teacher.”