The Enumclaw High School marching band swept the competition at the Tenino Marching Band Competition Saturday.

The Hornet band won the Best Percussion and the coveted Golden Drum award for winning the drum off, as well as first place in its division.

“But that’s not really the story,” wrote director Lynda Alley in an e-mail, although, she added, it’s very cool and well deserved. “The story really is in how our kids, raised by you and taught through the Enumclaw schools, exhibited character, respect, integrity, standards, decency and class far above others in attendance.”

“Enumclaw marching band students were mixed with 120 other students from other schools and had many moment to moment choices to make since there seemed to be so many students around them with a lack of self-discipline, control, standards, respect and kindness.

“It would have been easy for our small group to go with the flow (and the majority) but no, they did not. Our students were like beacons of light and carried themselves in such a way that caused others to wonder why we were not following along. I am so proud of Enumclaw for showing that first and foremost it is important to be true to yourself, to have personal standards and to remember that you represent more than yourself out there.”

Alley said the students not only won all the awards, but gained the respect of those in attendance.