10-04-2025
Martinsburg High School band to perform in Cherry Blossom Festival Parade
MARTINSBURG, () — The beloved Washington, D.C. cherry blossoms have made their way to West Virginia, bringing excitement for several high school students.
The popular Martinsburg High School Marching Band has been invited to participate in the Annual Cherry Blossom Festival Parade this weekend.
Members of the band have performed in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the entire band has marched in festivals at Disney World in the past.
Senior Ariel Funkhauser is focused on her plans this fall to enroll in community college to be a physical therapist assistant. But she will graduate this spring, cherishing her high school experience, with a special celebration in the nation's Capital this Saturday.
Dozens of road closures, traffic changes ahead of Cherry Blossom Parade
'Everyone works together in the band,' said Funkhauser. 'It's teamwork and a family that we have really built here.'
Band director Casie Adams explained how special it is to be invited to march in the Cherry Blossom parade.
'This is history for Martinsburg High School,' Adams said. 'For the band program and the high school as a whole. We've never been in this parade.'
And while senior Leonora Puplampu is focused on her biology studies at Shepherd University next year, marching in the Cherry Blossom parade will be an exciting way to wind down her senior year of high school.
'I don't think I've ever been on such a huge stage, so it's going to be really interesting,' she said.
After graduation this spring, Olivia Lewis is setting her sights on pre-med studies at West Virginia University.
But in looking forward to the weekend parade in the Nation's Capital, Lewis said, 'the whole experience, just being able to march in Washington, D.C. for such a big parade, it's pretty special.'
The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. Saturday at the corner of Constitution Avenue and 7th Street, N.W.
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