Hodapp named to elite band

Camas High School senior Isaac Hodapp has accomplished something few trumpet players ever do.

He was selected to participate in the U.S. Army All-American Marching Band.

Only 125 high school students across the country are chosen for the honor.

On Oct. 13, Hodapp was given his honorary marching band jacket in a special ceremony that included Army officers, local dignitaries, friends, fellow high school band members and family members.

“This is an exciting event for all of us involved today,” CHS Principal Steve Marshall said. “We are proud of our country and our school.”

The band played the National Anthem and U.S. Army fight song.

“Thankfully, it is the same as our fight song,” Marshall said.

The U.S. Army All-American Band performs at halftime of the nationally broadcast All-American Bowl. The football game features the top 90 high school players in the United States. Band members are selected based on factors including musical skill.

“Band members are chosen not just because they excel in music, but because they possess some of the same skills as our Army soldiers, skills such as versatility and agility,” stated an Army press release.

Hodapp has been playing the trumpet since he was in the fifth-grade. He credits his band teacher, Richard Mancini; private trumpet instructor Jaimie Hall; and parents Philip and Jeannette, with helping him achieve his goals.

“My parents gave me the opportunity to be the best I can be in music and in life,” he said.

Mancini noted that Hodapp’s dedication to playing the trumpet has helped him succeed in big ways.

“It’s inspiring to the younger band members to see how his hard work paid off,” he said. “That is what this is all about.”

The All-American Bowl will be televised live on NBC from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, on Saturday, Jan. 9, at 1 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.