MASON — The Wahama High School Band recently completed a successful competition season.

The band, which is comprised of 54 students from seventh through 12th grade, competed in several competitions this year. The band is under the direction of Chip Hendricks and WHS senior Katie Hendricks serves as the field commander.

Band members began their season with the “Music in the Mountains” competition at James Monroe High School on Sept. 12. The band finished first in their class and third overall. In addition, the band picked up first place awards for percussion, color guard and field commander in their class. They also received second overall in percussion and color guard, while Katie Hendricks picked up another first place overall for field commander.

On Sept. 19, the band traveled to Spring Valley High School, where they picked up another first place in their class as well as second place awards in percussion, color guard and field commander. The band also competed at Huntington High School on Oct. 3, where they received second runner-up grand champion as well as took home second place percussion and third place awards in band and field commander.

Band members later performed at “Vikingfest” in Ripley on Oct. 17 and were awarded with first place finishes in the band, percussion, flags and field commander categories. The band closed their competition season by competing at the Tri-State Marching Festival, which was held at Marshall University. During the event, Hendricks was awarded first place honors in the overall field commander portion of the competition.

In addition to competitions, the band hosted their annual White Falcon Invitational on Sept. 26. Several schools including Point Pleasant High School, Williamstown High School, Wayne High School, Buffalo High School, James Monroe High School and Lincoln County High School participated in the competition. The WHS band also performed an exhibition number during the event. According to Chip Hendricks, the White Falcon Invitational served as a fundraiser for the marching band.

Band members are currently preparing for their annual Christmas Concert, which is slated for Sunday, Dec. 13. The band, along with the WHS Choir and New Haven Elementary School Choir, will perform several numbers during the concert. In addition, all proceeds from the concert will benefit the Bend Area C.A.R.E.’s Christmas program. The band also will march in both Mason and New Haven’s Christmas parades, slated for Saturday, Dec. 5.

As for other future endeavors, the band will compete in ratings concerts this spring.

Members of the 2009-2010 WHS Marching Band are Katie Hendricks, Jenna Ferguson, Vanessa Bumgarner, Casey Gilbert, Deeanna Sayre, Kylie Roush, Sarah Bumgarner, Shaya Dudding, Kelsey Zuspan, Jenna Fields, Jessica Patterson, Marsha Pearson, Arielle Russell, Amy Lewis, Cyrena Roach, Lakin Bissell, J.D. Holley, Cody Kinzel, Phillip Bumgarner, Morgan Kaylor, Cadence Weaver, Whitney Fields, Brittany Stewart, Anthony Bond, Tyler Tucker, Joey Barton, Jordan Smith, Michael Hendricks, Benjamin Foreman, Michael Fisher, Austin Ohlinger, Jonathan Pearson, Steven Gibbs, Hannah Foreman, Katie Barr, Brittany Jones, Brogan Barnitz, Karista Ferguson, Sierra Kearns, Janae Cundiff, Jourdan Scott, Peyton Humphreys, Kylin Marr, Kelsey McDaniel, Randi Roush, Gabrielle Mankin, Leticia Paugh, Rebecca Zerkle, Jessica Gilkey, Rachel DeVault, Kristen Menendez, Lauren Roush, Miranda Meadows, Sarah Beach and Olivia Smith.