To the editor:

On Oct. 22, I attended the morning session of the high school band competitions at Memorial Stadium. Sixteen bands participated in the competition and there were seven judges from other states who each had their own area of expertise.

These high school students practice long and hard to perfect their very difficult music, formations and flag routines. Lawrence should be very proud of Free State and Lawrence High students and band directors for putting in so much time and effort to participate in these competitions. So far this year there have been competitions in St. Joseph, Mo., Manhattan and Lawrence.

I am disappointed that there is such little news coverage for these competitions, or even information on the awards each school has earned. The students and directors certainly deserve to be recognized.

I realize the majority of people seem to focus on sports and they are well publicized, which is great, but let’s not forget the others who work just as long and hard for their schools.

Congratulations Free State and Lawrence high schools for a job well done.

June Eberhart,

Lawrence