Adrian Woodard, (center) drum major for the Richmond Senior High School marching band, leads his team through a warm-up at the beginning of practice Tuesday. The Marching Raiders are ready to represent Richmond County in the N.C. Inaugural Parade this Saturday.
Insurance Commissioner-Elect of North Carolina Wayne Goodwin, a 1985 alumnus and former student body president of RSHS, said he recommended the Richmond Raider marching band, as well as the cheerleading squad and football team, when parade planners asked him to suggest participants.
“Rain or shine, I am confident that the state of North Carolina and the inaugural attendants are gonna be all about some Raider green and gold,” said Goodwin.
“We feel honored to be invited,” said Mike Ward, Band Director for RSHS. “We’ll be playing our fight song, and we are very proud of all the great things that that song represents.”
Ward, who has served as band director for four seasons, said that this is the first time they have marched in the Capitol.
“It’s our time to shine in Raleigh,” said senior Adrian Woodard, the band’s drum major.
“I’m telling everyone about it,” said senior Fontella Watkins, head of the color guard. “My mom is coming with us, and my whole family is going to be watching it on TV.”
The football team will not be able to make it because most of its members have commitments to multiple sports, “Their fighting spirit will be their with the rest of us,” said Goodwin.
“This is going to be something that these girls never forget,” said RSHS Cheerleading Directors Candice Nolan and Kathy Griffis. “We are excited and honored to represent our school and our county.”
The parade begins in downtown Raleigh at 12:30 p.m. this Saturday, and will be broadcast on WRAL-TV channel five.
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