For the first time, a student from Hobbton High School will perform with the National FFA Band.
On Aug. 26, the North Carolina FFA Association officially announced the students selected from around the state to perform on the national stage at the 99th National FFA Convention and Expo.
The National FFA Band consists of around 70 students selected from across the country. The band will come together a few days ahead of the National FFA Convention on Saturday, Oct. 17. The National FFA Convention and Expo will be held Wednesday, Oct. 21, through Saturday, Oct. 24.
Dora Turner, a senior at Hobbton, will play saxophone with the National FFA Band. Turner, along with high school students from across the nation, recorded and submitted auditions, with only a few students chosen from each state.
This year’s National FFA Band will include two Sampson County Schools students, another first. In addition to Turner, Lance Williams of Midway High School will also perform with the national band in October. Despite multiple attempts, the Midway High agriculture department and Williams could not be reached for an interview as of Tuesday.
Turner, however, was eager to discuss her place in the band.
“I chose to learn saxophone because I thought it looked cool,” Turner said in an interview last week, “and I’ve been playing sinc seventh grade.”
Turner is an active FFA member as well as a member and group leader in Hobbton High School’s band.
“I enjoy meeting new people in FFA,” Turner remarked. “I auditioned for the National Band because I love band and FFA, and it’s a great opportunity to meet new people and make memories.”
Ag teacher Ali Hicks said she is proud of Turner’s efforts.
“She’s involved in a lot of different things, and she really does a great job balancing all of it,” Hicks commented.
Hicks, one of Turner’s agriculture teachers at Hobbton High, helped encourage Turner to audition for the band.
“I absolutely love being Dora’s teacher,” Hicks said. “She’s a great student, and I’ve had the opportunity to teach her for the past three-and-a-half years. It’s been really rewarding to watch her grow and develop during that time, both as a student and as a person.”
Turner asked for little assistance during the application process for the National FFA Band.
“She never asked for help, other than having me help her log into her account so she could submit the application,” Hicks said. “I mainly just told her about the opportunity and encouraged her to go for it.”
Once Turner arrives in Indianapolis, the beginning of her week will be devoted to preparing with the other musicians.
“The beginning of Dora’s week will be spent rehearsing with the other band members,” Hicks explained. “They’ll be learning how to play together as a group for the first time and preparing for their performances. Then, from Tuesday through Saturday, Dora will be on stage during every general session with the National FFA Band.”
Turner will perform in front of thousands of FFA members, advisers and guests from across the country. The national band will also perform a concert for the public that week, along with other performances.
The students will not perform together as a group until they meet in October, meaning members of the national band will have to rehearse on their own beforehand.
As of Tuesday, Turner and Hicks were waiting for the music Turner will need to learn to be sent.
“It’s very exciting to be able to help Dora through this process,” Hicks said.
Hicks said she can’t wait to see what Turner gets out of the experience.
“I’m excited to see her represent our school, our community, and FFA on the national stage,” Hicks said.
Turner noted that while her parents will not be able to attend the National FFA Convention, “they are proud of me.”
Turner added that she feels “excited” and “grateful” to be in the National FFA Band.
“I’m excited about playing in front of people and meeting the others who are in the band,” Turner said of what she’s looking forward to most.
“I think it’s an amazing opportunity, and it’s something that not many people get the chance to experience,” Hicks said. “I’m really proud of her for putting herself out there and taking advantage of this opportunity.”