Band dedicates its night to a common cause
The music department knocked on doors to help the WVUSD bond measure get passed.
November 10, 2016
Instead of dancing the night away at Homecoming, some Diamond Bar High School band students chose to walk for a cause. About 30 students participated in a precinct walk around Walnut to gather support for bond Measure WV, which was passed on Nov. 8.
The precinct walk on Oct. 15 was one of several events that band, orchestra and color guard students have been participating in to increase the chances of the bond being passed. Over the past seven weeks, they have visited around 6,000 homes. Among other things, Measure WV would provide funding for a band room renovation, the main reason for the students’ enthusiasm on the issue.
Encouraged by music director Steve Acciani, band president senior Janeen Yamak gathered students to participate in the walk. They met in Walnut with a group of interns of the bond committee who have been working to get the bond approved. The interns supplied them with informational packets as well as a list of voters in the area to visit.
In addition to the precinct walks, other band students participated at an event at Suzanne Park. An information booth was set up and the students walked around looking to start conversations with parents about the bond. Many band students have also placed signs supporting the bond on their lawns.
Students are not the only ones who have worked hard for the success of the bond. Parents have also gotten involved, mainly by spreading information through Facebook posts.
They also played an essential role at precinct walks, acting as drivers for groups of students.
Last year, band students showed similar support for Measure O, a bond that would have also provided the music program with newer facilities and resources. While the bond did not pass, both Yamak and Acciani feel optimistic that they will have a better chance this year, largely in part due to the increased efforts of the students and bond committee.
“The biggest difference is that they’re much more organized and there’s a very specific plan everytime. We go in knowing who we’re going to talk to and what we’re going to be saying,” Acciani said.
A few more precinct walks were planned before election day, Nov. 8. As a final push to garner more votes, a band concert was planned for Monday during which teachers were to l speak in support of the bond at South Pointe Middle School.
“I feel strongly that this bond is critical to not only the school, but to the community. It will keep the school at the level that it should be and that this community deserves,” Acciani said.
