Sebastian River High School's Marching Sharks are champs at Crown Jewel Festival

Janet Begley, Treasure Coast Newspapers
·2 min read

VERO BEACH — Sebastian River High School took home Best Overall Band honors Saturday in the annual Crown Jewel Festival of marching bands.

The Sebastian River Marching Sharks band, which participated in the Platinum Class, also took home Overall Best Auxiliary and Overall Best Percussion awards.

Thirteen high schools participated in the annual event, drawing bands from Palm Beach, Broward, Brevard, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Lake counties. This year’s competition was held at Vero Beach High School.

The Crown Jewel Festival is one of Florida’s longest running marching band festivals. It was founded in 1981 by Vero Beach High School Band Director James Sammons and then-Assistant Principal Gordon Popple, who wanted to expose the band and the community to performers from around the state.

Although they did not participate in the competition, the Vero Beach High School’s Fighting Indians Marching Band, led by Page Howell, performed at the conclusion of the annual event at the Citrus Bowl.

Sebastian River High School junior Haylee Green performs during the 41st annual Crown Jewel Marching Band Festival on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, at Vero Beach High School. The Crown Jewel is one of the oldest continuous marching festivals in Florida.
Sebastian River High School junior Haylee Green performs during the 41st annual Crown Jewel Marching Band Festival on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, at Vero Beach High School. The Crown Jewel is one of the oldest continuous marching festivals in Florida.

The results of the Crown Jewel Festival for 2022:

Overall Best Band — Sebastian River High School

Overall Best Auxiliary — Sebastian River High School

Overall Best Percussion — Sebastian River High School

Bronze Class (69 or fewer students)

Best in Class, Musical Performance — South Lake High School

Best in Class, General Effect — South Lake High School

Best in Class, Visual Performance — South Lake High School

Best in Class, Percussion — South Lake High School

Best in Class, Auxiliary — Rockledge High School

Treasure Coast High School marching band and color guard perform during the 41st annual Crown Jewel Marching Band Festival on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, at Vero Beach High School. The Crown Jewel is one of the oldest continuous marching festivals in Florida.
Treasure Coast High School marching band and color guard perform during the 41st annual Crown Jewel Marching Band Festival on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, at Vero Beach High School. The Crown Jewel is one of the oldest continuous marching festivals in Florida.

Best in Class — South Lake High School, Groveland

1st Runner-Up — Rockledge High School

2nd Runner-Up — (none named)

Silver Class (70-99 students)

Best in Class, Musical Performance — (tie) Port St. Lucie High School and J.P. Taravella High School

Best in Class, General Effect — Port St. Lucie High School

Best in Class, Visual Performance — J.P. Taravella High School

Best in Class, Percussion — J.P. Taravella High School

Best in Class, Auxiliary — J.P. Taravella High School

Best in Class — J.P. Taravella High School, Coral Springs 

1st Runner-Up — Port St. Lucie High School

2nd Runner-Up — Merritt Island High School

Gold Class (100-125 students)

Best in Class, Musical Performance — Jensen Beach High School

Best in Class, General Effect — Jensen Beach High School

Best in Class, Visual Performance — Wellington High School

Best in Class, Percussion — Jensen Beach High School

Best in Class, Auxiliary — Jensen Beach High School

Best in Class — Jensen Beach High School, Jensen Beach 

1st Runner-Up —  Wellington High School

2nd Runner-Up — Fort Pierce Central High School

Platinum Class (126 or more students)

Best in Class, Musical Performance — Sebastian River High School

Best in Class, General Effect — Sebastian River High School

Best in Class, Visual Performance — Sebastian River High School

Best in Class, Percussion — Sebastian River High School

Best in Class, Auxiliary — Sebastian River High School

Best in Class — Sebastian River High School, Sebastian 

1st Runner-Up — Viera High School

2nd Runner-Up — Treasure Coast High School

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Sebastian River High School's Marching Sharks are Overall Winners.