The Hoover Tornado Marching Band ended its season on a strong note, earning a score of 90.55 at State Championships on Saturday and placing third in state, along with an additional $500 award for their performance.

After a hiatus of about seven years, breaking a score of 90 and earning a top-three placement was a huge accomplishment for Hoover and showcased the dedication that students, staff, and alumni put into rebuilding the program.

The achievement also adds to Hoover’s long history of competitive success. The HTMB has earned Division Championships in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2025. The band has placed both third (2017) and second (2018) in State Championships. Hoover also won the State Title for Percussion three times: 2017, 2018, and 2024.

“As a drum major, I was very happy that our work for this season paid off well. We put in a lot of blood, sweat, and tears, and I’m grateful that the judges saw our hard work,” said drum major Erin Lee.

“As a senior, I couldn’t be more thankful to have marched my last season with this group,” Lee added. “Really, this is a dream come true for me as it is for the other seniors. I’m thankful that I was able to be a part of the start of a new history.”

Battery captain Adonis Stone felt similarly.

“It was an amazing feeling knowing that the legacy of Hoover was coming back,” Stone said. “The final run we had was a good example of all the work we had put in this season and a testament to the insane progress the battery made, considering how more than half the battery had zero experience on drums—and we went pretty much undefeated in percussion scores.”

“It definitely makes me happy knowing that my final year with the Tornadoes was a division championship and that my legacy, along with my peers’, will be stamped on the banner that hangs on the wall for many years to come. I know for a fact that the ridiculous level of growth this program has seen post-COVID won’t stop now, and I’m excited for the day they bring in the State Championship gold medal.”

Ultimately, the energy of the entire band is what pushed the Tornadoes to success.

“The students were excited about [the competition] and energetic to go into the performance, and I think that helped our overall performance quality,” stated band director Melissa Campbell. “We ended up doing really well.”

“I think it was a big success for the band to achieve being top three and earning a medal at State Championships…and we’re excited for the future!”