The Mississippi Lions All-State Band continued their winning tradition last week by winning their 31st International Lions Parade Champions title.

Musicians in the 145-member band are high school students from all over the state of Mississippi. Three of those participating in the band, Becca English, Miriam Rimmey and Sarah Chipley, were students at Warren Central High School.

“The people in this band are absolutely the most hard working, special and amazing young teenagers you can get out of Mississippi,” Rimmey said.

The parade takes place during the International Lions Convention, and this year it was held in Honolulu, Hawaii.

“It was absolutely beautiful and amazing,” Rimmey said. “I don’t think that I could have gotten any better experience.”

In a route that led the band near the ocean, they marched for three judges along with around seven other bands.

“Our route was right by the beach so you could smell the salt water,” English said.

Out of a 100-point scale, the three judges gave the Lions All-State Band the scores of 89, 99 and 100. The 288-point total was enough to win the 2015 championship.

The Lions All-State Band is taught by retired Pearl High School director Jeff Cannon to not worry about who they are competing against and instead focus on competing with themselves.

“We don’t really worry about the others bands very much, we just try to worry about doing our best,” English said.

The band also got to play some patriotic music at Pearl Harbor and went on the USS Arizona Memorial.

Getting into the Lions Band is a feat in itself with over 800 musicians trying-out for the coveted spots. There are two rounds of auditions with two sets of judges. After the first round they cut down the numbers and have the final audition. Judges drop the highest and lowest scores and average the rest together to get the final score.

Rimmey, who plays French horn, said there were about 40 people trying out on her instrument and eight made the section. Flute, the instrument English plays, is a little more popular with around 60 students trying out for the eight positions.

Students prepare two pre-chosen pieces for their audition, usually one that is fast and technical and one that is slow and musical along with their scales. They are also asked to sight-read a piece. Rimmey said she has tried-out three times, but this year was the first year she made the cut.

“We have to work really hard to make this band,” second-year member English said. “They set up the system to where it’s not a guaranteed spot so you have to try-out every year and make it every year.”

Auditions are in November and the music that will be performed at the parade is sent to the participants in May. They then have a weeklong band camp in June to practice together and learn their marching drill before they go on their trip. At the end of camp, the band puts on a performance for their parents, Lion’s Club members and Lions All-State Band alumni.

The Vicksburg Lions Club gave each of the three girls $300 for travel expenses and food.

“We’re really thankful for that support from them,” English said.

English is sad to see the experience come to an end because the group became close friends.

“That’s the best part of the band, the relationships that you make,” English said.

This was the last year English and Rimmey were eligible to play with the Lions Band because they both graduated in May. English will attend Mississippi State University on a band scholarship in the fall, and Rimmey will leave for Marines training on Monday.