SAN ANTONIO – Johnson High School’s band is trying to get its equipment trailer back on the road after straight-line winds toppled it during the band’s first game of the season at Heroes Stadium.
The trailer, which served as the band’s primary way to transport instruments and equipment, was damaged when strong storms moved through during what initially appeared to be a routine weather delay.
Students said the weather changed quickly.
“It was like everything was fine, and then you could see all the clouds coming in,” Johnson band section leader Lenee Tovar said. “And then, like, the power went out. It was a movie, honestly.”
Wind gusts nearing 80 mph swept through the stadium, sending rain and debris across the area.
Scott Ashmore, the band’s drumline captain, said students, parents, and staff shifted their focus to keeping people and instruments safe.
Then the band’s trailer tipped over.
“The first thing I thought was, I really hope no one’s over there,” band director Jordan Stern said. “And I tried to yell, but it was so loud. Nobody could really hear anything.”
Fortunately, no one was hurt.
After the storm, parents and community members stepped in to help get the band’s instruments back to campus.
“Without them we wouldn’t be able to move any of our instruments anywhere,” Tovar said.
The damage was not covered by insurance, Stern said, because the district only carries liability insurance on trailers that are more than 20 years old.
While the district will fund some of the repairs, Stern said the rest will have to be covered by money from the band’s annual fundraiser, which typically covers equipment, props, guest instructors and the copyright licenses for music they perform.
“Whatever the repairs are going to be, we’re going to have to take care of that,” Stern said.
In the weeks since the storm, the band has received support from the community and even rival programs, including donations and loaned equipment.
Stern said the response has shown students what life is all about.
“It shows what this activity is really about,” Stern said. “It’s not about competition. It’s more about collaboration and building each other up.”
Stern said the experience has also taught students resilience.
“You can’t really predict where life is going. Unexpected things happen,” Stern said. “They’ve learned resilience. You learn how to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and just keep going.”
The band is continuing to raise money and work through repair options so the trailer can return to service. A link to donate is available on the band’s Facebook page.
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