Jenks Trojan Pride Band Performs In California's Rose Bowl Parade

Students from Jenks High School kicked off the new year by marching in the annual Rose Parade in Pasadena, California.

The Trojan Pride band spent more than a year preparing for this moment.

In between a B-2 bomber flyover, and the matchup between Michigan and Alabama, colorful floats and thousands of marching band members from all over took center stage at the 135th Rose Parade in Pasadena.

The Jenks Trojan Pride band, made up of about 230 students, performed Sweet Caroline for crowds in California and viewers all over the country.

"To have that band march down Colorado Boulevard was just exhilarating,” Jenks Trojan Pride Parade Chair Joe Mathis said.

Surrounding the main event, students, directors and chaperones took side trips to Universal Studios, the beach, and the San Diego Zoo, which is a two-hour drive from Pasadena. After their charter flight to California, everyone was bussed around from one destination to the next.

"And we're going to Disney tomorrow! So just a very full trip, very full seven days of fun and adventure,” Mathis said.

Mathis said with a packed itinerary, he was surprised to see what students seemed most excited about.

"Their favorite thing was the float decorating and being able to be up close and glue the flowers onto the float,” he said. "I think that's the first time many of them realized the size and just, you know, the detail that goes into the floats and the parade."

The Jenks Trojan Pride also performed at the Rose Parade in 2016.

"They're resilient. They're hardworking. They're so fun to be around. I just know so many of them have just had the time of their life,” Mathis said.

The band said it is traveling with a professional photographer, so students can hold onto all the memories made during this special trip for years to come. They will be heading back home on Wednesday.