Charleroi wins bus demo derby

A Dr. Seuss inspired bus beaming with Cougar pride was the last bus standing during a popular event at the Washington County Agricultural Fair this week.

The bus, decorated by dozens of Cougar marching band members, made it through rounds of competition against buses representing school districts and marching bands throughout Washington County.

It was the first time the Cougars brought home a win from the fair derby. A group of more than 20 marching band seniors were more than excited.

There are currently 70 students in grades seven through 12 involved in marching band in Charleroi Area.

“When we found out we won, the kids just lost their minds, cheering and screaming they were so excited,” band director Laura Shipley said. “It’s almost hard to put into words.”

The seniors, which are the largest graduating group of marching band students in Shipley’s recent memory, said the win was particularly special.

“We have 15 new members who are mostly 7th graders and working really hard, then we also have 21 seniors who will graduate this year and move on to bigger and better things. The majority of these seniors have been doing this for five years. They have put their heart and soul into the music program here at Charleroi and you can’t really put a value on what winning did for them. Winning is cool, but when you are a senior and it is your last time participating in something like this it is that much bigger and better.”

Shipley said each year the district participates in the Washington County Fair School Bus Demolition Derby – but she and former director Mark Killinger can’t recall ever bringing home a win.

The students paint the buses, provided by the Washington County Fair, the week before the event.

The night of the bus derby, 12 schools performed at 6 p.m. to give audience members a taste of this year’s halftime performances.

Then, buses from throughout the county representing the 12 different school districts were pitted against each other.

The winner of the best painted bus, this year Avella, will choose the theme next year.

Charleroi won a monetary prize for being the last bus standing.

The money will likely go into an ongoing fundraising effort of the Charleroi band boosters to purchase new uniforms for the program.

“Getting money like that, even a small amount is huge for us because there are so many things that it can help us with,” Shipley said. “Our uniforms are in their 14th season, so we really, really want to get new uniforms for our students.”

Shipley said about 50 students in the program play an instrument and are in need of new uniforms that cost about $500 each.

Fundraising has been ongoing for the last four years to make that purchase happen. In addition to bragging rights and a step closer to meeting a fundraising goal, Shipley said opportunity at the fair is “way more than that.”

“The actual bus painting brings them together as students, working together to construct something creative,” Shipley said. “It is as much fun as it is work, and they end up creating friends they will have for the rest of the high school lives or maybe even longer. They get to see and meet friends from different schools to participate in one activity and not all programs give students that chance. This is just a great experience for them and something we look forward to as Charleroi band.” Shipley said coming off of such an exciting moment, she is looking forward to the upcoming school year with students including the spring trip to Universal Studios this year.

“I am excited for this year and to see my seniors going on to bigger and better things, but I am also excited for our younger members to be able to benefit from this talented and accomplished group.”

To find out how to donate to the Charleroi Area Marching Band call Shipley at 724-483-3509 ext. 3216.