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Emotional farewells: Plano Senior High band directors visit every graduating senior for one last song

The ‘band director tour’ helped bring closure to a year cut short by the coronavirus pandemic.

Plano Senior High School band directors recently drove to the homes of every graduating senior who participated in the band program for a performance and farewell.

Students and the band directors said in a Plano ISD video that it was great to see each other one more time and to bring closure to the time they spent together.

“It really means a lot to me because…band in general has been a part of my life for seven years,” band member and graduating senior Marie Loy, who played flute and was in color guard, said in the video. “And to finally have a goodbye during this crazy time, it’s just so awesome.”

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The three-day “band director tour” was launched as a way to honor graduating seniors.

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“It’s been an emotional time — this whole season of being closed,” said Jason Lewis, director of bands at Plano Senior High, said in the school district video. “But it’s been wonderful to see these kids and they’ve just been so uplifted. And they’ve uplifted me and they’ve inspired all of us, and just their positive attitude has shown through today, just like it has through this entire process.”

Students and parents can be seen beaming when the band directors arrived.

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“It feels great to see them again and it really shows the effort they put in,” said graduating senior Grant Jacobs who played snare drum. “That brings joy to all of us, just like they did at school.”

Band and all other school activities came to an abrupt halt this year as the coronavirus closed school campuses and forced classes to go online.

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“It means a lot just to actually see the students in person and say, ‘thank you, and just have some sort of closure is what is the most special thing about this,’ ”said Mark DeHertogh, associate director of bands, in the video.

Lewis said he hopes the tour is something the students will always remember.

“We love you and we’re so proud of you,” Lewis said in the video. “And we just thank you for everything we’ve done and just keep being you. Remember, same thing, last time: Finish strong.”

Plano Senior High School Band Directors' Tour

These Plano Senior High School band directors are proof that teachers are heroes in disguise (but looks their capes are showing)! Way to make a difference for the Class of 2020 PSHS band seniors. #PSHSSeniors2020 #DedicatedtoCaring #PlanoISDProud #PlanoISDSeniors2020

Posted by Plano Independent School District on Thursday, May 28, 2020
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