Benedetta Cargile to march in 2026 Rose Parade® with the “Band Directors Marching Band”
The Saluting America’s Band Directors project has assembled band directors from across North America to march January 1 under the theme, “America’s band directors: We teach music. We teach life.”
Benedetta Cargile, the band director of the Morenci High School Pride Band, has been selected to join a marching band of about 500 band directors from across North America in the Pasadena Rose Parade® on January 1, 2026. The band will accompany a colorful, animated float along the 5.5-mile parade route.
The Saluting America’s Band Directors parade entry will convey the theme, “America’s band directors: We teach music. We teach life.” to recognize the extraordinary dedication and accomplishments of band directors and music educators everywhere. Throughout their careers, the music educators in this band have collectively mentored and taught hundreds of thousands of students. These professionals not only teach and conduct music, they teach about life itself.
According to Cargile, “I am truly honored and excited to participate in this event alongside fellow band directors from across the country. This year’s theme resonates deeply with me, as both marching and concert bands provide students with far more than musical training. These ensembles offer a unique space for young people to grow—cultivating discipline, teamwork, creativity, and the life skills that will empower them to succeed long after high school.”
The band will be directed by nationally known music educator and innovative band director Jon Waters, who will also lead rehearsals and other performances of the band when in Pasadena.
The sponsoring organization behind the Saluting America’s Band Directors project is the Michael D. Sewell Memorial Foundation, based in Pickerington, Ohio. The foundation was created to recognize and carry on the work of the late Mike Sewell, who dedicated his life to the school and community music programs in Pickerington and the Central Ohio area for almost 40 years.
The Saluting America’s Band Directors project has assembled band directors from across North America to march January 1 under the theme, “America’s band directors: We teach music. We teach life.”
Benedetta Cargile, the band director of the Morenci High School Pride Band, has been selected to join a marching band of about 500 band directors from across North America in the Pasadena Rose Parade® on January 1, 2026. The band will accompany a colorful, animated float along the 5.5-mile parade route.
The Saluting America’s Band Directors parade entry will convey the theme, “America’s band directors: We teach music. We teach life.” to recognize the extraordinary dedication and accomplishments of band directors and music educators everywhere. Throughout their careers, the music educators in this band have collectively mentored and taught hundreds of thousands of students. These professionals not only teach and conduct music, they teach about life itself.
According to Cargile, “I am truly honored and excited to participate in this event alongside fellow band directors from across the country. This year’s theme resonates deeply with me, as both marching and concert bands provide students with far more than musical training. These ensembles offer a unique space for young people to grow—cultivating discipline, teamwork, creativity, and the life skills that will empower them to succeed long after high school.”
The band will be directed by nationally known music educator and innovative band director Jon Waters, who will also lead rehearsals and other performances of the band when in Pasadena.
The sponsoring organization behind the Saluting America’s Band Directors project is the Michael D. Sewell Memorial Foundation, based in Pickerington, Ohio. The foundation was created to recognize and carry on the work of the late Mike Sewell, who dedicated his life to the school and community music programs in Pickerington and the Central Ohio area for almost 40 years.
Our Exceptional Wildcats and Spanish students stepped out of their comfort zone and participated in Salsa dancing . Instruction was provided by Ritmos Latinos, a salsa group run by students at the University of Arizona.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pvCgtYJeAJqtTnPvK1AhGk_yW9ZuDClY/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pvCgtYJeAJqtTnPvK1AhGk_yW9ZuDClY/view?usp=sharing
Dr. Adams recognized the Metcalf Leaders of the Month for October at the Morenci Governing Board meeting. Congratulations to Kindergarten - Xanthe Dominguez, First Grade - Adriel Perea, Second Grade - Jaime Hernandez, Third Grade - Presley Admas and Fourth Grade - Adeline Brack. Way to go Wildcats!
This calendar for Morenci High School activities will get you through the first week back after Winter Break. Lots going on!
We wish you all a happy holiday season!
We wish you all a happy holiday season!
Update: This drill is complete. We appreciate the support of our community.
Morenci Schools is currently conducting a lockdown drill. Please do not be alarmed if you see an emergency responder at the school and you are unable to contact the front office. Thank you for your cooperation.
Attention MUSD Parents and Community-
Morenci Schools will be conducting a lockdown drill this week. You may see many law enforcement and fire department vehicles around our district.
The goal of the lockdown drill is to test and improve our practices and procedures to ensure the safety of all students and staff at MUSD. We will publish a notice on our website (www.morenci.org) and Facebook page when this drill begins and ends.
We appreciate your cooperation as we practice lockdown procedures with your child. We value your child and their safety and want to be prepared if an actual threat occurs.
Hello FMS Parents,
Next week we will be celebrating Native American Heritage Week next week. Here are the dress up days. We encourage everyone to dress up!
Next week we will be celebrating Native American Heritage Week next week. Here are the dress up days. We encourage everyone to dress up!
MHS Student Council's first Blood Drive of the year was a success! Thank you to all those who came out to donate! We collected a total of 32 pints of blood and that can potentially save 96 lives!
Wildcats care about each other! Last week, 24 of our MHS Wildcats got certified as Interweave Peer Counselors! They spent four hours learning how they can identify when their peers need help and how to react in various situations commonly faced by teens. Great job Wildcats and thank you for taking the time to help others! Also, thank you to our Graham and Greenlee Substance Abuse Coalitions for bringing this training to our students!
Metcalf 3rd Grade presents America the Beautiful
Good afternoon FMS Families,
Below you will find our November newsletter as well as our November breakfast and lunch Menu!
Below you will find our November newsletter as well as our November breakfast and lunch Menu!
This is a reminder that Wednesday, 11/06, is an Early Release Day! FMS will dismiss at 11:20 a.m.
Just a reminder all tickets for tonight's football game against Tuba City must be bought through Go Fan ticketing. The only passes we will be accepting are AIA passes. Come out and support our Wildcats in the first round of state.
https://gofan.co/app/school/AZ21902
https://gofan.co/app/school/AZ21902
Happy Red Ribbon Week from Metcalf! Life’s puzzles are best solved with positive choices. Let’s choose health, happiness, and a drug-free lifestyle.🐾 #RedRibbon2025 #LifeIsAPuzzleSolveItDrugFree #WildcatPride #WeAreMorenci
Our Wildcat football team will be taking on Tuba City this Friday at 7:00 PM. Tickets can only be purchased through GoFan ticketing. Please purchase your tickets using the app or following website: https://gofan.co/app/school/AZ21902
Veteran's Day Reminder
School is in session on Monday, Nov. 10.
No school on Tuesday, Nov. 11, as we honor our Veterans.
Thank you for supporting our Wildcats and helping spread the word!
Don't forget FMS will celebrate Red Ribbon Week Monday, October 27-Friday, October 31! Please see attached for dress up days!
This is a reminder that Wednesday, October 22, is an Early Release Day! FMS will dismiss at 11:20 a.m.
Mr. Goodman recognized the Staffulty of the month at the Morenci Governing Board meeting. Gary Rees has a great character, always respectful and will always make you laugh. He is cool, chill, helpful and an amazing teacher according to his students. Julie Baker is kind, caring, fun and a good teacher and person. She is always willing to help her student do their very best. She is very passionate about teaching and has a very positive attitude in class. We are very fortunate and grateful to have both of these amazing teachers at Morenci High School.
Morenci High School values and celebrates CTE (Career & Technical Education)! As a member school district in GIFT (Gila Institute for Technology), MHS offers many CTE courses for its students. Students are learning technical skills and professional skills, earning industry credentials like OSHA-10 and ServSafe Food Protection Manager, passing the Arizona state test for the CTE program, participating in career & technical student organizations like FCCLA and SkillsUSA, and practicing work-based skills. Some are recognized as stand-outs in their programs. There are so many outstanding students and instructors in our CTE classrooms at MHS, EAC, the FMI Training Facility in Clifton, and other off-site locations! There are also so many outstanding MHS alumni like graphic designer, Jade Chavez, who created the CTE departments' logos and attorney, Jono Brown, who is featured on the new bulletin board; both continue the tradition of excellence started at MHS. We hope to spotlight other MHS alumni. If you’d like to participate and share your career story, please email our CTE Director, Sherry (Trujillo) Carbajal, MHS alumnus Class of 1984, at: scarbajal@morenci.org
