Ninety students in Woodbury High School's Marching Royals band traveled to Florida last month for unique marching band events, a workshop and a performance at Walt Disney World.

The students first went to Melbourne, Fla., where they performed with the Melbourne and Viera High School marching bands at a football game between Melbourne and Viera on Oct. 17.

The Marching Royals then participated in a workshop called "You're Instrumental" at the Epcot Center in Orlando, which gave students insight into what a professional musician experiences while performing at Walt Disney World. Students produced a soundtrack for a portion of the Disney film "Aladdin."

The Woodbury band also performed before more than 30,000 spectators in the "Disney Festival of Fantasy" parade.

"They all carried themselves so well. It brought pride to my heart to see how they grew as confident individuals," said Tark Katzenmeyer, Woodbury High School band director.

South Washington

Hispanic students garner top awards

East Ridge High School seniors Brianna Goetzke and Pierce Firebaugh have won 2014-15 National Hispanic Recognition Program awards through the College Board.

The board's National Hispanic Recognition Program identifies academically outstanding Hispanic/Latino high school students. The program honors about 5,000 of the highest-scoring students each year from more than 250,000 Hispanic/Latino juniors who take the PSAT/NMSQT.

North St. Paul/Maplewood/Oakdale

Taste of District 622, Tartan craft fair set

Local restaurants and businesses will offer samples of food and drink at the Fourth Annual Taste of District 622, from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8, in the Tartan High School cafeteria.

The event is sponsored by the 622 Education Foundation and the National Honor Societies of both North and Tartan high schools.

At the same time, the 2014 Tartan Craft and Vendor Fair, hosted by the Tartan All Night Grad Party Committee, will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the school, located at 828 Greenway Av. N., Oakdale.

Tickets to the Taste of District 622 can be purchased online (www.622educationfoundation.com) or at the door. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for District 622 staff, $5 for students and free for children under age 5. In addition to the food sampling, there will be a silent auction featuring a variety of baskets and auction items.

All proceeds benefit the 622 Education Foundation, a nonprofit community group dedicated to raising and distributing funds to support District 622 schools and students.

The Tartan All Night Grad Party Committee is seeking crafters and vendors who would like to participate. The cost for participation is $35. Those interested in signing up should download the registration form at www.isd622.org/Page/5927. For more information, contact Deb Battah at 651-278-1958.

Jim Anderson