June 2006 - The Parklander Magazine

Local Company Offers Aidto Florida State ChampionsStoneman Douglas High School’s band program is among the topmusic programs in the state of Florida. If you visit the band room,you can’t miss the hundreds of trophies proudly on display,including a Class 4A state championship trophy (2004) and a class4A runner-up trophy (2005), which was won despite numerousobstacles, such as a large freshman class with little or no marchingband experience and countless hours of practice being cancelleddue to hurricanes.“The kids worked hard this past season,” says John Rusnak, banddirector at Stoneman Douglas High. “It really takes dedication to bepart of a program like this.” Band members spend grueling, hotdays working on music and drill but that’s not all it takes to get tothe state finals and to achieve the success this band has enjoyed.“There’s a huge financial commitment involved in running aprogram like this,” says Rusnak. Gone are the days when the schooldistrict subsidized expenses. “It costs money to transport the band,fix and replace instruments and equipment, hire instructors, replaceuniforms and repair damage due to the hurricane.”The Marching Eagles Parent's Association (MEPA) is workinghard to raise money for the coming school year but additionalsources of funding must be found. Othersin the community are joining in the effort.Media Design Concepts, an Audio/VideoMarketing and Consulting Companyowned by band parent Lawrence Zwerin,is offering a $5000 donation to MEPA forevery complete home theater roompurchased through their referrals, and agenerous donation for all work receivedfrom MEPA.For more information aboutthe program, contact Tim Abram,President of the Marching EaglesParent Association, at 954-346-4908.For more information on MediaDesign Concepts, please visit its websiteat www.mediadesignconcepts.net.Largest Dance Selection In South Florida9882 Glades Road (S.E. corner of 441 & Glades Road)the PARKLANDER 91