Marching Pride of Lawrence Township is Rose Parade Bound

Writer  /  Matt Keating

Lawrence North Band Director Tom Wallis is ready to lead The Marching Pride of Lawrence Township (MPLT) when it performs at the Rose Parade Jan. 2, 2017. It’s a unique honor, because The MPLT is one of only 21 national marching bands featured in the Pasadena, Calif., parade.

“We have 175 high school students from Lawrence Central and Lawrence North High School who will be heading to Pasadena,” Wallis said. “The kids have been really focused getting ready. We have been rehearsing a lot for a very long time. A lot of excitement is starting to pop up.”

Wallis noted that the amount of money raised for the trip, however, is short of the initial goal of $800,000.

“So far, we still only have $150,000 in,” Wallis said. “We are quite short of our goal, but we hope that more donations will be coming in. We are hoping to get more corporate sponsors, and will still be taking donations for a while. The kids have also been performing at businesses to get donations.”

The MPLT leaves for Pasadena December 29. Over 700,000 spectators and more than 81 million television viewers worldwide will be watching as the band members perform. They are the only band from Indiana performing at the parade.

Junior Zoe Magill, a drum major at Lawrence North High School, said the trip will be an once-in-a-lifetime experience.

“We have been working very hard to reach this goal, and social media has helped us get the message out for donations,” she said.

The MPLT formed “MPLT’s Road to Pasadena” campaign to raise the funds needed. Supporters can follow MPLT on Twitter and Instagram (@MPLTBand). Followers can also keep up to date via Facebook, looking under Marching Pride of Lawrence Township.

The MPLT is a joint effort between Lawrence Central High School and Lawrence North High School. With a combined township-wide school marching band, it can compete at both the state (Indiana State Music Association) and national (Bands of America) levels.

If you would like to make a donation by check, make the check payable to The Lawrence Township School Foundation (write Pride to Pasadena in the memo line) and mail to 6501 Sunnyside Rd., Indianapolis, In 46236.

For additional donation information, contact Cori Korn at corikorn@msdlt.k.12.in.us or 317-423-8202. You can text to donate at the number 72727 with the message MPLT.

“This will really be an amazing trip, and we appreciate any help we can get,”

Wallis said. “Everyone has been working very hard to make sure this will be a great experience.”

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