SPRINGFIELD HIGH Boosters ask school board for marching-band uniforms

Area residents are being contacted to donate to the uniform fund.
By VIRGINIA ROSS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW MIDDLETOWN -- It's been at least a decade since the Springfield High School Marching Band has changed its uniforms.
But by the start of the 2004-05 school year, Elaine Martin hopes to see band members wearing new suits.
Martin, president of the Springfield Band Boosters, said the band's uniforms are stained, torn and basically worn out.
Speaking on behalf of the band boosters at a recent school board meeting, she asked the school board to help with the purchase.
Board members said they would consider the request and look into the possibility of allocating money toward the effort.
Meanwhile, the boosters are also asking area residents and businesses for donations.
The band needs at least 50 new uniforms. But the package could easily cost $11,022. If the order is paid in full, the boosters will receive a 5-percent discount, bringing the cost of the uniforms to $10,486.
Time's running out
Martin said the boosters have about $5,500 set aside for the purchase. She said to have the uniforms by August, they would need to be ordered and paid for in February. She said she believes it's been as many as 20 years since new uniforms were bought.
"Next year, we'll probably have between 40 and 45 students in the band," Martin said. "We have students who come to us and the zippers are broken on their uniforms. They're torn; they're just in bad shape. They need to be replaced.
"We're actually hoping to raise interest in the band and to encourage younger students to join the band as they come into the high school. Part of encouraging that, I believe, is to give the students a sense of pride in their school and pride with being in the band. I think new, cleaner, nicer uniforms will help with that."
She said the new uniforms will complement the new mentoring program being initiated. The new program will allow fifth-grade pupils, when they first pick up their instruments, to be mentored by a member of the marching band.
"It's all part of our desire to encourage our students by providing them with a program they can look forward to being part of -- something they can be proud of," she said.
Groups or individuals interested in obtaining more information about the mentoring program or in making a donation to the uniform fund should call Martin at (330) 542-0332 or may send e-mail to slhsbandboosters@yahoo.com.