The search has ended for the Most Spirited High School band in Greater New Orleans! The Pride of Destrehan Marching Band was named the grand prize winner in the “Battle of the High School Marching Bands” following a month-long competition sponsored by Carnival Cruise Lines and New Orleans’ WDSU-TV that included nearly two dozen local bands and more than 11,000 votes cast by friends, family and the community. Carnival Cruise Lines and WDSU-TV representatives surprised the marching band students, faculty and the administration at Destrehan High School in Destrehan, LA, to share the great news. Jim Berra, Carnival’s chief marketing officer, presented the school with a giant check for $10,000 to support its music program and invited the band to perform as part of the welcoming festivities aboard Carnival Sunshine, the line’s latest ship to call the Big Easy home.
“As we prepare to bring our newest ship to New Orleans this month, we wanted to do something truly special for the community that would benefit young people and celebrate the spirit of this great city and its rich music history,” said Berra. “We were truly impressed by the tremendous show of talent from all of the participating bands and congratulate the Pride of Destrehan Marching Band on their big win. We look forward to welcoming the band members aboard Carnival Sunshine on November 17 for what we’re sure will be an unforgettable performance.”
Celebrating local spirit and skill, area schools were asked to record a three-minute video of their band performing their school fight song. Nearly two dozen schools submitted over the course of the three-week entry period, and five finalists were selected by Carnival Cruise Lines and WDSU-TV based on music ability, style and sound. From Oct 21 through Nov 1, more than 11,000 votes were cast online for the five finalists, resulting in Destrehan’s win. Other finalists included Bonnabel Magnet Academy, Miller-McCoy Academy, Riverside Academy, and Salmen High School. Carnival awarded each school a $1,000 cash prize for their music program.
Carnival Sunshine made her North American debut yesterday in her new homeport of New Orleans and was named by Lin Arison—wife of the late Ted Arison, founder of Carnival Cruise Lines. Today the 3,006-passenger “Fun Ship” will sail on its inaugural voyage from New Orleans—a 6-day cruise that kicks off a winter schedule of cruises to destinations throughout The Bahamas and Western Caribbean. Earlier this year, the ship underwent an unprecedented 75-day, $155 million transformation, incorporating all of the line’s “Fun Ship 2.0” dining, bar and entertainment features, as well as a variety of exciting innovations unique to the vessel and 182 new staterooms. For highlights of Carnival Sunshine’s features, follow Cruise Diva's blog as we sail from New Orleans this week.
Image Courtesy Carnival Cruise Lines
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