The Class of 2008

Memories

Class Representatives

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Memories from 2006-07 Year

A poem, transcribed by Mr. Burdick-Rutz, for you and yours to enjoy below.

A special thank you to all boosters who have made the Fiesta Bowl possible. 

 Twas’ The Week Before The Fiesta Bowl

Twas’ the week before the Fiesta Bowl and all through Temecula City, The Spirit Band, Guard, and Boosters were feeling rather gity.

Their stockings were packed in their luggage with care, with hopes that Teri Rose would bring gel for everyone’s hair.

The instruments were put in their cases with the most careful of thought, while visions of them being left at home was on the mind of Mr. and Mrs. Yount.

With Robert Keetch in his Kerchief and Vera in her cap, they just couldn’t wait for the parade, so they asked Brian to play Taps.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, The Mawhorter’s and Larson’s knew everything was all good, nothing was the matter.

We all sprang from our homes to hear a rumble and a clack, up rolled the most Spirited Marching Band with a banner to lead, and the Drums in the middle of the pack.

The moon reflected the glint from the delta on their jackets and hats; while Paulette, Cathy and Geeta brought up the rear with water and snacks.

Gene and Cindy were there counting by tens, then naming each one, and then starting all over again.   

Two drum majors, who were lively and quick, gave a toot of their whistle then motioned their batons with a wink and a flick.

More rapid then a pack of wolves they came.  They marched to an Earth, Wind & Fire tune of fame.  Now “In the Stone,” Now “The Cadence,” now “Drum Taps,” they blew the crowd away with their talent and high marching spats.

On Matthews! On Poulton! On Nunley, and Lee!  With a “resume hut,” that went as high as their knee.

As the needles of a cactus before the sandstorms swirl, or each arm of a saguaro with their famed curl.  Out to the Desert the Band went crisp and sharp.  Their years of building tradition was clear, as each played their part.

And then in a twinkling we heard in a new stadium with a roof, their marching and playing was all that would be needed as proof.

The crowd drew their heads, and turned around.  The Rossi’s and The Marshall’s pushed the pit instruments in with a bound. 

The pit crew was all dressed in white, inscribed with “Narnia,” it was a magical sight. 

A bundle of flags was flung on Robyn and Karla’s back, behind them the color guard was in their flight jackets marching in a Pack.

Each of their eyes how they twinkled and their dimples how merry!  Their cheeks had been blushed with the color cherry.

The stump of a microphone stand was finally in place, while the cords and sound system were tested at a break neck pace.

Teresa and Chris watched with a bundle of uneven nerves, but knew it would be ok, as Cambria and the Pit played with verve.

They spoke not a word, and went straight to work.  The drum major cued, and then saluted with a jerk.

With a siren and a boom, the crowd got chills from their heads to their toes.  It was evident as the ensemble performed, they would be this year’s “Desert Rose.”

They sprang into each onlooker’s heart, as they marched away to the sound of a roar.  The audience and judges collectively knew The Spirit had opened up more than a wardrobe door.

I heard many exclaim as they drove out of sight, The Spirit of Great Oak has entered and claimed the National Band Championships scene tonight.

A Daily Journal from the Fiesta Bowl

Day One:

Wednesday December 27th:  The Spirit of Great Oak Band and Guard began their morning with rainy, overcast skies.  The winds gusted through the Stadium as the students, staff and boosters realized that we would catch up to, and pass this same storm front the next day on the way to Phoenix. 

With the trailer and truck loaded (and reloaded) with all of the instruments, equipment, uniforms, wardrobe, and golf cart, one would think we forgot the kitchen sink.  No worries, each hotel room has a sink, anyway.

George and Nancy Marshall drove the equipment truck, donated from Nancy's realty company, while James and Christina Mawhorter drove in their big Chevy 2500, pulling the Spirit Trailer.  The Burdick-Rutz family met up with them at the South 79 Wal-Mart and began their travels East through Hemet. 

Smooth sailing?  Not quite.  A rain storm, a forgotten shaving kit (thank you Cindy Brookhart for saving me!), a couple of wrong turns, and two very sick Burdick-Rutz's later, we have arrived at the Amerisuites Airport Hotel.

Need maps to where we are going?  print them below (with the itinerary), or stop by the hotel where extra copies are available at the front desk.

Safe Travels.

Day Two:

Thursday December 28th:  The Spirit Band & Guard started with a very early morning call at Great Oak.  The students and families did a great job arriving, both excited, and a little dazed. 

Mr. Burdick-Rutz, meanwhile, attended a Director's meeting with the many hosts and volunteers of the Fiesta Bowl on hand taking each of us through the logistics of the Parade, and Field Championships.  Everyone is excited to be here, and some of the largest crowds are expected with the man y bowl games (three to be exact) be hosted over an 11 day period.

After a stop off in Blythe, the Spirit Band & Guard arrived safely at the hotel at 1:50 PM (12:50 Pacific).  The room captains received their instructions, and room keys.  Then the buses became a whirlwind of luggage, and travel weary people.

Students have moved into their rooms.  and have made their way to Lunch.  Lunch consisted of an assortment of sandwiches, tortilla wraps, and croissants, with chips, pickles, fresh fruit, and cookies for dessert.

Music rehearsal went well, as the band and drum line following a full run through of our field show the students cleaned up and then headed off to the Hard Rock Cafe.  Mr. Burdick-Rutz became the last in his family to get sick, and missed the fun atmosphere, and the kids enjoyment of the the staff dancing to YMCA (and Ruben too)!  Thanks to Ms. Kaw, and Mr. Keetch for taking over the meeting.

The Spirit Band & Guard returned to the hotel to meet to talk about the next day, and what they should prepare that evening to get ready for an early wake-up.  With time left, several students ventured into the fitness room, and the pool

(the pool was 89 degrees, the air was 49 degrees).

Day Three:

Friday December 29th:  Wake-up time is 5:30 AM (4:30 AM Pacific) - and there are students up and about, waiting for the breakfast food to be placed out.  Breakfast consists of Camamille tea for Mr. Burdick-Rutz, while others have the option for juice, milk, coffee, fruit, toast, bagels, muffins, croissants, and french toast.

The band departed at 7:30 AM for Cactus High School, in Glendale, AZ.  Their Band Director, Carrie Melkin and her husband David are good friends with Mr. and Mrs. Burdick-Rutz.

Prelims performance was the best of the season.  While our score of 85.15 didn't get us into finals, it felt great to have our best performance last.  In the parking lot following prelims, the seniors were treated to a special performance from the rest of the band.  It was an emotional moment realizing the culmination of a great season, and our great senior class. 

Our day ended at Cardinal Stadium at 10 PM, watching the Boise St. and Oklahoma Marching Bands. We returned to the hotel to several Pizza Hut pizza's waiting for us.  We also celebrated Flute member, Paul Payton's birthday, with singing and cake.

Lights out at 11:15 PM came quickly, as will the morning wake up call for the Parade at 5:30 AM.

Day Four:

Saturday December 30th:  Wake-up time is 5:30 AM (4:30 AM Pacific).  This morning breakfast began at 6 AM.  There were less students coming down early, and many seemed to arrive in enough time to grab a quick bite and report to the buses at 6:45.  The buses left at 7:05 AM for Central Ave. in Downtown Phoenix.  The current weather was reported as 45 degrees with patchy fog.

Many in the band were still a little foggy with the second early wake up in a row, and were rudely awakened by stepping off of the bus at the North Baptist Church band staging area.  Consider it a slow form of torture, as the band awaited the step off of the parade by waiting from 7:40-10:20 AM, before we started to move to the start of the parade route.  Several stretches, jumping jacks, circle games, and conversations amongst ourselves and with other bands from around the country, we were warmed up and ready to go.

The Spirit Band & Guard was truly a spectacle to behold.  The dark blue uniform top, contrasting with the red color guard jackets.  The black color guard pants, with the tall white pants of the band and drum line.  The purple and white flags, the red drums, the gold lacquer of the instruments, and the gold shimmer in the tall white plumes.  The Spirit Band & Guard was truly a spectacle.

Following the parade (we didn't lose anyone to exhaustion!), we changed out of uniform, and loaded the buses to go to Mesa, AZ for the Organ Stop Pizza.  There the organist was hydraulically lifted up performing theme music from James Bond, amongst many other choices.  The organ covered the size of the cafeteria connected to the many pipes, and instruments built into the walls and on the ceiling.  Pizza, soda, incredible music, and wonderful company - it couldn't have been a better lunch.

The band said goodbye to our coaching staff and thanked them for a great season from Organ Stop Pizza, then returned to the hotel for well deserved down time.  Much of it was used to rest, relax, and expend left over energy in the pool. 

Everyone changed into their warm clothing for a fun evening at Rawhide Western Theme Park.  Many students danced the night away in the Dinner Pavilion.  Many enjoyed a large dinner of steak, chicken or vegetarian meals with cole slaw, corn on the cob and chips.  Many tried their hand at different games, shopping in the cowboy shops, and even having their band director and assistant band director arrested and thrown into the Rawhide jail for a photo and entertaining post of bail.  We sang our way out of jail, and the kids got a good laugh.

With the evening wrapping up, several presentations were made for the parade.  The Spirit Band & Guard placed second in the class A division!  More impressive, they placed 2nd out of all 19 bands in both division A and B in the category of General Affect.  Their final score: 90.35.

WOW!  A score, and a memory that will forever be "In The Stone."

Day Five:

Sunday December 31st:  Wake-up time is 6:30 AM (5:30 AM Pacific).  This morning breakfast began at a reasonable 7 AM start time.  Many more students came down for breakfast - taking time to peer at the beautiful plaques they earned.

Many of the students came down prepared to leave for the day's excursion to Sedona, AZ - but we did have to remind a few of them to return to their rooms to get their jackets or coats.

The bus trip to Sedona began with a departure at 8 AM traveling North on Hwy. 17 out of Phoenix into the Mountains.  With several hot air balloons (we counted 10) to mark our exit from the city, the desert landscape opened up and quickly changed with the changes in elevation. 

At Prescott, AZ we turned westward and were stunned by the sudden color changes with the chaparral covered sandstone cliffs, many canyons, and rushing white water of Oak Creek.  Like the creek, the entourage wound it's way through Sedona, into the uptown, and upscale shopping district. 

There the students unloaded, formed groups and went about their day on their own without any time frame but to simply enjoy.  Many shopped, a few took guided 4 wheel drive jeep tours through the canyons, others bikes, and many enjoyed a pleasant meal at one of the great restaurants.  My wife and I, were able to drive our 3 young children up to Slide Rock and Oak Creek Canyon.  There we built a snowman and went hiking.  On the way back through Sedona we learned of many of the days adventures, but of one yet to come as the Mawhorter's, Larson's, and Marshall's were heading to the Sedona Airport to take a Helicopter Canyon Tour.

The Spirit Band & Guard Departed Sedona, AZ (getting many compliments throughout the day on how pleasant and polite they were) at 3:30 in the afternoon.  Many rested on the two hour trip back to Phoenix. 

With a brief stop at the hotel to drop off their souvenirs, the students changed and prepared for the evening dinner at the Embassy Suites Airport in Tempe.  There, the upstairs Jr. Ballroom was reserved and decorated in holiday decor and set up for a Mexican Fiesta New Year's Eve Dinner.  The Dinner included tacos, enchiladas, chips, rice, beans, and sopapillas for dessert.   Prior to each table making their way through the buffet, Mr. Burdick-Rutz stood and asked each member to raise their glass (of water or Ice Tea!) to the "2006 Marching Season," and then asked the Seniors to stand up - "Here is to something we have been looking forward to saying for a long time at Great Oak, here is to the new year, 2007, and the Senior Class, your year!  Happy New Year!"

Following Dinner, and a visit from Margaret Burns, our International Travel Official responsible for helping us plan the trip, the Band departed back to the hotel for final preparations for the New Year's Eve Party at Skyline High School.  The band left the hotel at 9 PM, and arrived at Skyline (Eastern edge of Phoenix) around 9:45 PM.  We made our way into the crowded event to find dancing outside in the main quad/concert area.  Near the cafeteria concessions were available, while inside the cafeteria many instrumentalists were trying their luck at vocals on the karaoke, while others played cards or poker in the casino area.  Others still braved the outside temperatures at the rock wall, while Ryan Brookhart, John Nunley, and Matt DeFelice warmed up inside the sumo wrestler outfits that had them wobbling over the ring.  What a site!  Many of the adults played cards, or relaxed in the Auditorium watching Pirates of the Caribbean.  at 10 PM, several students from Indiana wished each other Happy New Year, while at 11 PM the Junction City, KS Band did the same.  Although tired from an already long day, everyone celebrated the New Year at midnight and then made their way to the buses.  At 12:45 we returned to the hotel, and at 1:30 AM, the lights were out. Not before many quipped, "gee, we have school tomorrow!"

Day Six:

Monday January 1st:  Destination, Temecula.  The wake up time was set for 8 AM.  Many didn't appear to the main lobby for breakfast, however, until closer to 8:45 AM.  From 9-10 AM many were very busy packing and cleaning up their rooms.  Each room had to pass inspection from their respective chaperones, and then turn in their room keys.

Once again the elevators and stairways were clogged with students and luggage making their way to the buses.  Many of the students climbed the buses early anticipating their return to Temecula, and to simply get warmed up from the cool Phoenix morning air.

At 10 AM, Mr. Burdick-Rutz asked the band & guard to meet in the parking lot to say goodbye and sing Happy Birthday to Ms. Kaw who will be traveling with her boyfriend up to the Grand Canyon.  The students then gave the parent boosters and chaperones a great big thank you for their hard work and efforts to get us to Phoenix and back safely.  Finally, Mr. Burdick-Rutz  called the band to attention.  "Spirit of Great Oak, 2006 Edition, you are dismissed.  Let's go home." 

With that, the band loaded the buses and made their way to Temecula - gaining an hour with the change in time and reaching Temecula (via a stop at McDonald's in Blthye, CA) at 4:45 PM. 

Thank you for the many Priceless memories.

J. Burdick-Rutz