Pasco middle‑school students selected for Washington junior honor band; district highlights music program

Band director James Bennett and several student musicians addressed the board to report that multiple Pasco students were selected for the Washington Music Educators Association (WMEA) Junior Honor Band and other all‑state and all‑city ensembles.

The nut graf: Bennett said the students underwent competitive auditions and that several Pasco students were chosen from thousands of applicants to attend the WMEA event in Spokane in two weekends. Students and a parent speaker credited district support — including district‑provided instruments and teacher encouragement — as key factors enabling students to apply, rehearse and succeed.

Students who spoke included Bella Gonzalez (8th grader at McLaughlin Middle School), Emanuele (Emanuele) Whitemarsh, and other sixth‑ to eighth‑grade musicians identified by Bennett. Parent Gabriela Whitemarsh described the student experience and emphasized the district’s instrument provision and Mr. Bennett’s encouragement in helping students persist after earlier disappointment. Bennett and the speakers noted special logistics for Pasco students — for example, early audition timelines, district instrument maintenance and turnover of instruments for repair — and thanked the district for support.

Board members and staff praised the music department and noted upcoming community performances. No formal action was taken; the segment was part of public comment and special recognition.

Ending: Board members congratulated students and staff and noted the upcoming Spokane trip and local music events.