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The building that houses the band at Lassiter High School already bears the name of legendary “group director†Alfred Watkins, so being honored isn’t something entirely new to Watkins.
In this year’s interpretation of the New Year’s Rose Parade, Watkins will once again be honored.
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Watkins will be one of the few high school conductors to climb on top of a float during the parade, flanked by some 270 marching band members on the five-mile parade through Pasadena, California.
“At one time Eastman Kodak called it the most photographed event in the world,†Watkins said.
Channel 2 Berndt Petersen visited Watkins before he left for the Golden State. Although not someone who likes to “be heard”, Watkins could barely contain his excitement.
“When you represent all of the principals of school groups across the country,†Watkins said. “It is something which is an honor for which there are no words.”
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Watkins has supervised the group at Lassiter for the past 37 years. He no longer gives lessons at school but still leads the group. He has taken the Marching Trojans to Pasadena four times, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in New York City three times, and won two National Marching Band Championships during that time.
“Whenever we traveled, we carried with us the names of Georgia, Cobb County, Metro Atlanta, and Lassiter High School,†Watkins said.
We didn’t see Watkins being greeted on the ABC’s of the Rose Parade on Saturday morning, but we have no doubt that he allowed himself to have a little fun and be appreciated for everything. that he accomplished.
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