Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn shone a light on the musical prowess of more than 500 students from the 605 All-Star Band at a recent Board of Supervisors meeting. These students, part of a "super band" spanning seven cities around the 605 freeway and representing eight high schools, received personal accolades for their historical performance in this year's Rose Parade. The ceremony was held at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration in Downtown Los Angeles, where each student was awarded a personalized certificate, as reported by the County of Los Angeles.
The 605 All-Star Band, through a vision by Mayfair High School's band director Tom Philips, became the first of its kind to grace the Rose Parade – and with considerable grandeur, being the biggest band this year. According to the announcement made by Supervisor Hahn, the students and their band directors invested an immense amount of hard work, including rigorous weekend rehearsals and a four-mile march between Bellflower to Lakewood. Packed into the Board Room, every band member received recognition that marked their collective achievement.
School pride and excitement filled the air as, alongside ABC Unified Superintendent Dr. Gina Zietlow and Board member Ernie Nishii, Hahn handed over official Los Angeles County scrolls to the eight band directors. These included Tom Philips of School, and in the excitement, other directors from Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Gahr, John Glenn, La Mirada, and Norwalk High Schools also garnered their fair share of cheers.
Tom Philips expressed deep gratitude for Hahn's support. "She has partnered with us and helped in obtaining the things we needed so we could have our practice parade in Norwalk. Supervisor Hahn's office helped make that happen, and now you have 528 students that have endured grueling hours putting something together out of nothing—creating something and seeing a dream come true," Philips told the county's news bulletin. In a special exchange, students honored Supervisor Hahn with a 605 All-Star Band t-shirt and other tokens of appreciation including a framed photo of their performance, a pin, and a large banner.
