November, 1994 |
John Santos leads a team
from around the world.
President Clinton Visits Bridgeport
By Lorayna Campbell
It's not every day that the president of the United States comes to your city. So when it was announced that President Bill Clinton was coming to Bridgeport, many people were excited and planned to attend the event. "I was kind of shocked and amazed we'd be playing for Mr. and Mrs. Clinton, " said Central band member Cassandra Mendoza.
The president's visit, held on Saturday, October 15th at Sikorsky Airport, was primarily to campaign for the Democratic candidate for governor, Bill Curry. Yet, most people just wanted to get a chance to see the president in person, and maybe even get a chance to meet him.
The school bands from Central and Bunnell High Schools were especially excited, because they were invited to play for Clinton. They spent all week practicing, only to be disappointed by the event. Not only were they asked by the Secret Service not to play "Hail to the Chief," because President Clinton disliked it, but they actually didn't even get to perform for the president at all. They just played for the spectators awaiting Clinton's arrival. Central's Marching Band had a competition that night, and they gave up their practice time to attend.
"I feel it was a waste of the band's talent," said Central's band instructor, Mr. Gary Ruggerio. "It was an honor for the band to be asked to play, but I would have liked for us to have been able to do more. I was disappointed in the area that the bands were set up in."
Although the President didn't get to hear Central's Band play, I'm sure all the audience enjoyed hearing their music. I'd also like to congratulate Central's Marching Band for winning first place at the band competition held in Southington on October 21. Too bad the president couldn't see that!
