After competing in local and regional competitions for years, The Pride decided in 1998 to measure their program against the best bands in the country by entering the Bands Of America Grand Nationals competition. In their debut performance, Broken Arrow stunned 90 schools and 30,000 marching band spectators by placing 11th in the country. The dark

horse from Oklahoma would return each year, placing as high as 7th and always in the coveted Top 12.

     The pressure to follow in these impressive footsteps is felt differently by two students. Leading The Pride is 17-year old drum major Adam Shisler. As drum major, Adam embodies all of the band's success and failures and serves as the link between the staff and students. At a family dinner, Adam voices his disgust over a letter to the editor scrutinizing the band's apparent focus on winning over performing.