By DEBORAH CORRAO / L’Observateur / April 25, 1999

RESERVE – Students at East St. John High are making their mark on thenational scene.

This month, under the direction of Daryl White, the ESJ band took first place in the Florida Festival of Music Parade Competition at Universal Studios in Orlando.

The ESJ cheerleaders also took first place last month at CheerFest, a national competition held annually at Astroworld in Houston, Texas.

And just last week the Sugarettes dance team placed second at a national competition in Houston.

Sponsors of these groups said the awards are especially gratifying because of the efforts the students put into fund-raising for the trips.

Teckla Slayton, cheerleading sponsor, said because cheerleading does not qualify as a sport, the school itself could provide no funding. Members ofthe cheerleading squad held an Easter raffle, a Sadie Hawkins dance and several other activities to raise the money necessary to participate in the national cheerleading competition.

White, who was hired in December, said his band students have worked hard this year, raising $25,000 to attend the competition in Orlando. Theband held two dinners besides getting some help from local businesses.

Lt. Vernon Bailey, the St. John Parish deputy assigned as resource officerat East St. John, said, “I am really proud of these kids. They went out anddid what they had to do.”The Concert Band will present its spring concert “Musical Compositions” Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the ESJ auditorium. Admission is free, andrefreshments will be served in the cafeteria after the concert.

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