neXt: the next generation, covered now

Marching to the top

While most students sit in a classroom taking notes the last 45 minutes of the school day, the band is running -- in step of course -- around the practice field hitting drill marks.

When the football team heads to the locker room, these students take to the field. The Cape Central Marching Tigers have performed their 2007 field show at every home game.

But they haven't stopped at the halftime show. The band has won four first-place trophies and took second place at the Greater St. Louis Marching Band Festival.

"Everyone has bought into the idea of excellence," said Neil Casey, one of the band directors at Cape Girardeau Central High School.

He said the students came up with a lot of the visual effects seen in the show.

The students said at first the performances made them nervous, but eventually the nerves go away and muscle memory takes over.

"Once you hit the field, it's all adrenaline," said Andi Horrell, a senior at Central. Horrell plays second bass on the drum line, which has taken three captions this year.

A caption is an overall award that goes to the auxiliary of a marching band, like the drum line, the drum major or the color guard. The color guard has won three captions, and Jennifer Willis and Beth Davey, the drum majors, have taken one.

"It's great," said Willis, a senior. "We know what it's like to lose, and it feels good to win."

The Marching Tigers haven't had a winning season in a decade. This year their field show didn't just impress the judges. Their western-themed show was always fun at halftime.

"I think the music's more exciting and the drill's better," said Nathan Nall, a junior trumpet player.

The Marching Tigers season ended last night with their final halftime performance at the Central and Sikeston football game, but most of the students will be back on the field in June for their fundamentals and basic camp and then back in uniform next fall for the football games and competitions.

charris@semissourian.com

335-6611 extension 246

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neXt up

Tonight

• "American Gangster": Cape West Cine, Rated R, 163 minutes
• "Bee Movie": Cape West Cine, Rated PG, 95 minutes
• "Martian Child": Town Plaza Cinema, Rated PG, 113 minutes
• Irene's Country Dance class: 7 to 9 p.m. Double Nickel II, Sikeston, Mo.
• "God's Favorite": 7 p.m., Notre Dame Regional High School, Cape Girardeau.

Saturday

• Contra Dance with Banjovi: sponsored by Cape Friends of Traditional Music and Dance, 7 to 9:30 p.m. Christ Episcopal Church,
• American Indian Dance Theatre: 7:30 p.m. Bedell Performance Hall, River Campus.
• Southeast Missouri District Honor Orchestra: concert presented by young musicians, 4 p.m., Sikeston Field House, Sikeston, Mo.

Sunday

• The Little River Drainage District: A Centennial Celebration: 2 to 5 p.m., Kent Library, Sadie's Place, Southeast Missouri State University,
• Saxy Jazz Quartet: Global Cafe, 3 to 6 p.m.

Next week

Monday

• Bee Movie Game, Wii

Tuesday

Games:

• Hannah Montana: Spotlight World Tour, Wii
• The Simpsons Game, PSP

CDs:

• Angels and Airwaves, "I-Empire"
• Jay-Z, "American Gangster"

DVDs:

• "Ratatouille"
• "WWE: John Cena-My Life"
• "Rob and Big: The complete first season"

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Voice box

What album is in your CD player?

"Spring Awakening," the cast album. "I'm a Broadway girl."

from Carly Schneider, senior Notre Dame

"Across the Universe," the soundtrack. "I like the Beatles. I heard the songs in the movie, and it made me want the CD."

Brittney Diebold, senior Notre Dame

The Jonas Brothers' "It's About Time." "They're a band I like from the Disney Channel."

Kayla Essner, sophomore Notre Dame

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Who's neXt?

ACHIEVEMENTS

Darla Mangels

• Darla J. Mangels, of the Jackson FFA chapter, was named a national finalist in the Equine Science-Entrepreneurship Proficiency award program. Mangels is the daughter of Weston and Sandy Mangels.
• John Sachen, of Cape Girardeau, was named fire instructor of the year at the University of Missouri's Fire & Rescue Training Institute on Oct. 27. Sachen currently serves with the Delta Fire Protection District.

SCHOOL NEWS

• Kelly Elementary faculty and parents will host a chili supper and silent auction at 5 p.m. today in the Benton, Mo., school's gym. Money raised will go toward a new playground surface that is wheelchair accessible.
• The Cape Public School Foundation has been awarded $2,500 from NARS, the National Asset Recovery Services. The money will be used for Great Ideas Teaching Grants.
• Kelly Parents as Teachers will meet at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 8 at Kelly Elementary in Benton. Refreshments will be served and activities for parents and children provided.

-- From staff reports

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(Fred Lynch)

Friday night lives

Notre Dame Regional High School presents Neil Simon's comedy "God's Favorite," based on the Book of Job. The play opened Thursday night at the school in Cape Girardeau. Catch the play at 7 p.m. today or Saturday night.