Raymondville band scores historic victory in San Antonio

RAYMONDVILLE – Mariella Vasquez played her flute in a historic moment for her band.

It was historic because the performance of Mariella and the performances of the rest of the Raymondville Bearkat Band took them to a level victory higher than any achieved in more than 20 years.

“Making it to the state marching championships and placing 4th is such an incredible achievement,” said Mariella, a junior in the Raymondville Bearkat Band.

The Raymondville Independent School District’s Bearkat Band is on a winning streak these days, culminating Nov. 6 when the Raymondville students finished 4th in the UIL 3A Marching Band State Championships at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

The Raymondville school district’s band placed 4th in the UIL 3A Marching Band State Championships at the Alamodome in San Antonio on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. (Courtesy: RISD)

“The moment we found out, it was like a wave of happiness washed over me,” Mariella said. “Everyone has poured their heart and soul into this, practice tirelessly and pushing through every challenge.”

This is a historic achievement for the Raymondville ISD community, said Benjamin Clinton, deputy superintendent of RISD. The last time the Bearkat Band made it to state was in 1998.

“The Bearkat Band has become the pride of Willacy County, embodying the spirit and resilience of our community,” Clinton said. “Their success is an inspiration for students, families, and educators alike, setting a new standard for excellence.”

This achievement is further highlighted by the lackluster performances of the band in 2018 and 2019, Clinton continued.

“With only 40 members, the band received Division 2 ratings at the UIL Pigskin Marching Contest,” Clinton said. “However, with the district’s renewed commitment to the program, including investments in stipends, a dedicated band trailer, and new instruments, the band has expanded to over 100 members and earned statewide recognition.”

With the arrival of Band Director Ben Keltner in 2020, the band has enjoyed repeated successes.

“The journey to 4th place at the UIL State Championships is a dream realized for the Bearkat Band,” Keltner said. “Our students’ dedication, combined with the immense support from our community, has been the key to achieving this moment.”

This year’s UIL show, Flight, showcased the band’s musical and visual artistry, Clinton said. The performance was led by senior drum major and feature flute soloist Oscar Garcia, whose performance brought a distinctive brilliance to the program.

Other musicians included Leon Guzman, a junior and drum captain, who had the benefit of history and memory to more fully appreciate the band’s success.

“I started marching band in seventh grade, during the 2020 pandemic,” Leon said. “The band had gone two straight years with Division 2 ratings with the previous director. We were one of the smallest Bearkat Bands ever, but in 2020 we pushed through. It was rough because we had to deal with quarantine and complete loss of some sections. But through a glimmer of light, we pulled through.”

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