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Apopka High marching band seeks city help and fundraising for London parade invitation
Summary
A parent volunteer told the council the 260‑member Apopka High marching band was invited to march in a London parade in January 2026 and asked the city for assistance while the band continues fundraising; staff offered to receive cost estimates when available.
Kim Shamil (presenter), a parent and volunteer for Apopka High School’s marching band, told the council the 260‑student band had been invited to march in a London parade in January 2026. She described recent achievements (a superior rating at Musical Performance Assessment and participation in Washington, D.C.’s cherry blossom parade) and outlined planned fundraisers (Papa John’s cards and a fundraising night at Froggers). The presenter said final per‑student costs are not yet available and that the band would need confirmation of who intends to go by May 2025 so final payments can be settled.
Council members asked how the band was selected (presenter said organizers visited the high school and selected the band during a live video presentation), whether the Orange County School Board had committed funds (not at present), and confirmed passports will be required for traveling students. Mayor Nelson and other commissioners offered to review cost figures and directed staff to accept a future cost estimate and consider ways the city can help.
No formal action or funding was taken at the meeting; staff asked the presenter to provide firm cost numbers to the city when available.
