The Band program at Channelview High School is preparing for the upcoming UIL band evaluation. This year’s preparation looks very different from one year ago. March 13, 2019, marks the 1 year anniversary of the band’s bus accident as they returned from their trip to Disney World in Florida. A total of 46 students, teachers, and parents were on the bus when it crashed 38 feet below the roadway in Loxley, Alabama. Many of those students and their director were seriously injured in the bus accident. As students began to heal, they would return to school and start working on UIL band evaluation. Their motto has always been “once a band kid, always a band kid.”
Band Director Aaron Allison remained in the hospital as one of the most severely injured. It would be months before he returned to school. However, his injuries did not stop him from attending the bands UIL evaluation last year; wheelchair, casts and all! Mr. Allison was determined to support his students who worked so hard to show him they would never give up. CHS band students never gave up! They proudly earned the most coveted “sweepstakes” rating that all band programs hope to receive. This year the band still hopes to get sweepstakes, but the students are able to work towards achieving the goal with Mr. Allison by their side.
Although many of the students involved in the accident graduated last year, about 20 students still remain in the program. The director and students have recovered remarkably well, despite the challenges they faced after the bus accident. The Channelview High School Band is looking forward to the future and has started planning their next trip to Dallas for Spring 2020.