CHS seniors will march in the UW band this fall

Three Papermakers will trade in their red-and-black uniforms for Husky purple and gold this fall. Camas High School seniors Paul Cooper, Sam Svilar and Annie Kanicki are taking their musical talents to the next level by marching in the Husky Band at the University of Washington.

Sam Svilar, a drum major, said that stepping onto the field for his first halftime show as a Husky will be the fulfillment of a long-standing dream.

“When I saw the Husky marching band perform at Band Day as a freshman, I knew it was something I wanted to do,” he said. They’re one of the best bands I’ve ever seen, and very high caliber. I love the energy of their pep and marching band.”

Band Day brings 2,500 high school students to perform the National Anthem and at halftime with the Husky band.

For Kanicki, marching in the UW band will bring a lot of personal pride.

“They are so cool, with way they move, and they just look like they’re having so much fun,” Kanicki said. “I’m excited about marching at the away games.”

Paul Cooper, CHS band president, enjoys the energy that surrounds the UW band.

“It will be a really good environment for all of us,” he said. “It’s cool because we’ll be transferring from our band now to a much bigger college one, but still have some of the same experiences.”

Cooper plans to major in music at UW.

“I just want to learn as much as I can about all kinds of music,” he said. “I like jazz, classical, most everything. And the saxophones in the Husky band have inspired some of our choreography here.”

Richard Mancini, band director, is proud of the seniors’ accomplishments.

“Those kids have worked so hard and provided so much leadership to our band; we will definitely miss them,” he said. “But they’re moving on to bigger and better things. And we’ll see them at Band Day in September.”