A group of seven Marine Corps veterans and active members visited McHenry High School Upper Campus Thursday to make a $500 donation to the band program in honor of a student performance in November at the 2024 McHenry County Marine Corps Ball.
They also invited the band to perform at the McHenry County Marine Corps League Detachment No. 1009’s next Marine Corps Ball this coming November to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Marine Corps.
“It was an absolute honor on our part to have this school and you students represent this band at our event,” Rick Prescott, commandant of the McHenry County Marine Corps League told band students Thursday. “That was an awesome, awesome thing.”
Band Director Ryan Cabildo said the performances students do for the community are a way to give back while also providing students with opportunities to perform in professional settings.
In addition to furnishing music at countless school events – such as the annual veterans Honor Flight celebration in August – the band has taken their show on the road to other schools and businesses looking for student performances. They do it for free but are grateful for donations.
“As much as possible, I just say yes,” Cabildo said.
For the November Marine Corps Ball, an ensemble of nine students played a lineup of American Folk music, patriotic songs, such as “America, The Beautiful,” and some holiday music.
Prescott, whose two children graduated from McHenry Community High School, said inviting the band to perform for the Marine Corps Ball is a great way to highlight the league’s efforts to work within the community. While their main focus is helping veterans adjust to civilian life, they are also a driving force for the annual Toys for Tots donation program for children in need. The 141-member league also works with scouting organizations, has a scholarship program, and provides military color guard, among many other things.
“Anytime that we can reach out and involve people in the community, including the kids, I’m all for it,” said Prescott, whose service includes guarding U.S. embassies overseas and participating in evacuations after the Vietnam War.