Dear Mr. Winkle:

     I'd like to take just a few moments of your time share something about your student community that you may not realize in the day-to-day activities you fulfill.  Our son was participating in the Owasso Marching Festival this Saturday (Sept. 29) past.  We are from Overland Park, Kansas (Blue Valley High School in Stilwell), and are new to the marching band "circuit."  However, we have two older sons, and being fairly well-traveled, we have made countless contacts over the years in varied arenas.  In all of those journeys, we have never felt so welcomed by competing (or non-competing) organizations as we did by your students and their parents at that festival.  Remember, too, that each of our schools was only one of nearly 30 in attendance.

     First, during a marching sequence by other schools, we found ourselves "stranded" from our own group because of the crowd.  I'm glad we were; we were most fortunate to sit behind three of your band students, all dressed in their red Ponca City shirts, who were some of the most charming and well-mannered people we have ever had the great fortune to meet.  They were witty and helpful, wonderful to say the very least.

     However, that was not the only contact we had with your community (albeit, in the suburb of Owasso).  We also made the passing acquaintance of a family (at a nearby Subway restaurant) who have 3 girls -- one who was participating as part of the Ponca City Band.  That meeting was another highlight of our trip, needless to say -- wonderful, friendly, complimentary of our school -- we were enchanted.  All of the "Po-Hi" band members that we met were very complimentary of other bands, and completely lacking in arrogance at the beauty and skill of their own performance. These chance meetings and the many times that we made contact with the members of your community in the crowds that day, only convinced us further that you and your staff, the parents, and the young adults who attend your high school are exemplary in every human way.  It is that kind of kinship, between uncommon parents and excellent schools guiding young people, that create such a wonderful and unique community as Ponca City High School must be, and is a model that should well be copied.

     Thank you and all in your community for making strangers -- competitors -- feel so welcome and for representing your school and its members so well.  Please share this with the band director and his staff, as they are very important figures in the success of your community, especially the traveling members, as well.  We look forward to seeing the Ponca City High School Marching Band at further competitions, as they exemplify the highest form of competition.

Most sincerely,
Jeanette and Tom Mitchell and Family
Overland Park, KS