Pamela Lah – Loveland, Colorado … The handbells choir at Campion Academy (CA) in Loveland, Colorado, got to commemorate Veterans Day by playing “A Patriotic Salute” in Loveland’s parade, November 11.
The bells worked hard, preparing for the parade for weeks. Theo Poloza, a senior student, reflected, “I was nervous to do something new, specifically playing while moving. However, in the end, we played really well and sounded great. It was truly an honor to perform for the veterans.”
The parade itself lasted for about 50 minutes and included a war plane flyover, historical military vehicles, and, of course, veterans. During the parade, four students held a Campion Academy banner in front of the bell’s float.
Andrew Blomberg, CA Maintenance director, drove the Campion maintenance truck, pulling the trailer full of bells, which had been decorated in a patriotic theme by Toni Odenthal, CA director of Alumni and Development. Dick Stenbakken and Elliot Fortener, Campion Seventh-day Adventist Church veterans, marched behind the float and threw candy at the crowd.
The bells rang nice and loud and impressed many around them in the crowd and in the parade
“It was so exciting that so many people stopped by our float asking for encores and about Campion. When they announced our names, they said we pride ourselves with our academics and music,” Naomi Fernandez, CA music director, resounded.
A bell player and student Tita Zuniga shared, “I liked seeing the little kids being excited about the bells. It was cool to see the airplanes and be a part of the parade.”
—Pamela Lah, Campion Academy Student News Team. Photos supplied.
