By Joseph Phillips, Sports writer
Chicago Crusader
For the first time in school history, the Kenwood Academy High School Broncos, 5015 S. Blackstone, opened up their field for practice to one of HBCU’s finest marching bands in the country “the Hampton University Marching Band.”
The group stormed the field on Thursday afternoon in preparation for Saturday’s game against HBCU rivals Howard University at Soldier Field.
“This is amazing,” said Karen Calloway, principal of Kenwood Academy.
“This is truly what the work is all about. Allowing the high school students to see what the next level is. It really promotes college for inner city students.”
During the event, Calloway explained she was very proud to have a former Kenwood alum as part of the band. She explained that her most recent graduate Joshua White earned a full scholarship to Hampton University in 2019.
White displayed his talents last year in both the school’s marching and jazz band, and was very proud to return home and perform in front of a large crowd made up of the Hyde Park community.
The Hampton University Marching Band, otherwise known as “The Marching Force,” has received the esteemed privilege of participating in the 2020 Rome New Year’s Day Parade on January 1, 2020, in Rome, Italy.
“This opportunity shows that our band is being recognized internationally,” Hampton said.
