Senior Mark Weaver will play in the United States Army marching band in San Antonio, Texas over the holiday break.

Weaver will play the bass drum along with four other students from around the nation. After submitting a lengthy application to playing an audition piece last spring, he was notified of the honor mid July.

“I was shocked, but excited at the same time. The process had taken a good while, but my hard work paid off,” said Weaver.

The audition process consisted of video performances of Weaver playing the bass drum to musical selections as well as a self-introduction video.The selection criteria includes a student’s grade point average, community service, and school leadership.

When first turning in his application and audition, he took into consideration that it was based on musicianship, marching achievement, character, and leadership.

The third student from Susquehannock High School to participate, he will perform in the halftime show during the national high school football game on January 4, 2014, which will be broadcasted live over national television.

Marching Band teacher Chris Poole is very proud of him.

“He has improved dramatically. He worked as hard as possible, especially with this achievement he has just made,” said Poole.

Representatives from the National Association for Music Education and the U.S. Army came to support Mark Weaver during his public induction into the U.S. Army marching band on October 9, and he was awarded  an official army marching band coat and hat.

“It’s pretty exciting, a little nerve-racking because there is a lot to cover before I go down to San Antonio, over the holiday break,” said Weaver.

Besides playing the snare drum for the Susquehannock Marching Band, Weaver also performs percussion in the Indoor Drum Line, Pep and Concert Bands, and Full Orchestra.

Senior Adam Fishburn is very excited for all of Mark’s achievements.

“It’s inspiring! You see someone on a personal level that made it to a higher level band, and see all their achievements,” said Fishburn.

Poole wishes him the best of luck, and is very excited to watch him perform live.