The Douglas County High School Incomparable Marching Tiger Band, along with cheerleaders and dance team members, rocked the school auditorium last Friday during a special pep rally and check presentation for being a big winner in the Great Atlanta Band Challenge.
The DCHS band finished second in the challenge and received a $15,000 check—$5,000 more than expected—from 1-800-TruckWreck attorney Amy Witherite, who founded the competition five years ago.
“When I found out that the prize ended up being $15,000 instead of $10,000, I was a little overwhelmed,” Douglas County High School Director of Bands Torre Goodson said after the Oct. 24 check presentation.
“It means a lot to me for the students to feel and witness the amount of appreciation they got today for everything they do,” he added. “It really reinforces the sense of community that exists in Douglasville. It's amazing for the students to realize how much people believe in what we do and invest in them and their future!”
Goodson said he entered an early-season video of the band performing at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the Corky Kell Classic that landed the band among the top 10 in the competition.
The school plans to use the money for maintenance, repair and purchase of new instruments, equipment, books and other instructional materials.
The band program at Douglas County High School is growing by leaps and bounds, he said, with 140 students participating in the marching band and even more participating in other ensembles.