If someone asked how much school spirit your high school has to offer, what would your answer be? One might ask what exactly defines spirit. For Howell High School, the answer to this question is simple. The Highlander Marching Band defines, eats, sleeps, and breathes spirit. Music is the beating heart of any and all positive energy that can possibly be created at a football game.

For Highlander marching band members, there are certain memorabilia that each and every bando (our well-known nickname for you non-bandos) has learned to love; and it has helped them bond with friends, grow as musicians, and even grow as people. I have made a list of some of these great memories that I, and many others, will hold onto for a lifetime. Because once a Highlander, always a Highlander.

1. One step!

You can't help it, it's in your blood. You must respond.

2. You know what the "Shiggity Shack," "Tower of Sauron," "Barstow," and the "Ghost Cabins" mean.

And you could explain to other people what they really are, too.

3. "Good Kids" reminders

In case we ever forgot, the "you're all good kids" reminders had our backs.

4. Hydrate or dydrate

Telling the band to pee clear since the beginning of time.

5. Drumline and the Dougie

When you hear those quads start to play, you know what time it is. Also, does anyone remember the ostrich?

6. Slow step/poop de scoop

Nobody really knows how "poop de scoop" came to be, but nothing beats it, and nothing will ever top our slow step, either.

7. Bagpipes and Kilts

Our favorite unique style that truly made us the Highlanders of Howell; not the hicks of Howell, thank you very much.

8. The muffin joke

Ah! A talking muffin!

9. Freezing off your booty at the Fantasy of Lights and then almost passing out on Memorial Day

Not one time could I feel my fingers for the Fantasy of Lights Parade.

10. The Skedge

Ah, yes. The famous daily band camp schedule is written and illustrated by the band director himself.

11. Hey band/hey cheerleaders

Show us how you get down.

12. You do the Scottish hokey pokey.

Ya put 'er right foot 'in! *Screams and puts right foot in*

Most importantly, all band members can reminisce on those gorgeous, starry nights when our Highlander football team would grasp a victory; and we sent our loving fans back home singing the greatest high school fight song ever written, "Howell High Forever."