WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Plaquemine High School marching band has been chosen to march in the Official National Independence Day Parade on July 4, 2025. The band previously participated in 2017, making this the band's second invitation.

Band director Anthony Hollis was director when the team last marched in the parade, and says it feels like lighting striking twice.

"If the world gives you lemons, make lemonade, it gives you apples, make apple juice. We don't try and say we're better then them, we just go out and do what we got to do. We just go out and compete against ourselves, we put the best version of ourselves out every day," he said. 

Hollis said the band has been constantly improving throughout the year.

"Every time we set the bar higher, they keep reaching. I told them it says a lot as much as I fuss, I will be like daddy, I will be like their uncle, they still come through the door," Hollis said.

He believes this opportunity gives students a chance to see life outside of Louisiana.

"This is a wonderful opportunity, it's like history repeating itself. The last time we went, we had a wonderful experience. The kids enjoyed themselves they saw some things they would only see in the textbook or online" he said. 

Band members say opportunities like these make being apart of the band even better. 

"I've been doing things, I never thought I would do before [by] traveling the country", Michael Williams a member of the band, said.

"I got me so many more opportunities to explore, I went to Memphis, I went to all these places. And D.C. will be one of my farther trips to go, and I am really glad everyone gets to experience it the same," Kody Alvarez, a member of the band, said. 

The band is starting a fundraising campaign to pay for the trip.

To contribute to the Plaquemine High School "Green Machine" or for additional information, please reach out to the band director, Anthony Hollins at 225-687-6367, ext. 8029.