By Marisa Dawson
As the Bennington girls and boys basketball teams battled through the state tournament, another group of students was making its own impression from the stands.
The Bennington High School Pep Band was recognized with the NSAA Ambassadors of Sportsmanship Award during the Nebraska School Activities Association State Basketball Tournament at Pinnacle Bank Arena. The award recognizes teams, fans, and school groups that demonstrate outstanding sportsmanship, spirit, and positive support throughout the event.
For Bennington Instrumental Music Director Cassi Vallis, the recognition reflects the culture her students have built both on and off the stage. “As always, I was incredibly proud of our students for playing for and with each other,” Vallis said. “There were so many talented and amazing pep bands of all classes that performed at the state, so to be recognized by NSAA is a huge honor.”
The award highlights not just musical performance, but also the band’s enthusiasm and sportsmanship throughout the tournament. According to Vallis, those qualities are central to the program’s identity. “I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside dedicated, spirited, and talented students,” Vallis said. “The leadership that our Badger Band displays goes beyond the classroom, and for them to receive this award supports that the culture they’ve built and their hard work does not go unnoticed.”
Throughout the tournament, the pep band showed up night after night, performing in the arena and cheering alongside the student section as the Badgers advanced through the brackets. Their energy was impossible to miss. “Our Badger Band students have an immense amount of pride and admiration for not only the band, but also their peers in basketball, cheer, dance, student section, all other activities, school, and community,” Vallis said. “At the state tournament, many of the band members ended up losing their voice from cheering so loud for their peers. They genuinely enjoy each and every opportunity to spend time together.”
Vallis said the expectations she sets for students representing Bennington at events like the state tournament are straightforward. “Simply put: Play/cheer loud and proud, take care of each other, and leave the place better than how you found it,” she said.
Students say the recognition came as both a surprise and an honor. “When the band was given the NSAA Ambassadors of Sportsmanship Award, I was so excited and honored that our band, as well as our school, was chosen,” said Emma Larson. “Being recognized like that is so special, and knowing that our energy was making a positive impact, makes all the late nights worth it!”
Fellow band member Dylan Rapp said the award was a meaningful way to recognize the group’s enthusiasm. “I thought it was a cool way to recognize our spirit,” Rapp said.
For many students, performing inside Pinnacle Bank Arena was a memorable experience in itself. Rapp said the atmosphere inside the arena made performing even more exciting. “Pinnacle Bank is such a cool atmosphere to perform because you can feel the energy from everyone in the building,” he said. “I love when our band gets the chance to play at Pinnacle Bank Arena,” Larson added. “At times, it can be scary to play in front of so many people, but it is so exciting to do it with all my friends and people in my section.”
Beyond playing music, the pep band embraced its role as one of the team’s most enthusiastic supporters. Students spent the games cheering, standing, and rallying behind the Badgers. “Me and my best friend Zoey were standing and cheering for the team the whole game,” Rapp said. “It was awesome! I’ve never really been a basketball fan, but I was having the time of my life!”
For Larson, one of the most memorable moments came during a dramatic comeback. “One of my favorite moments in those three nights at State was getting to cheer on the team with the rest of the band,” she said. “Especially when reaching the end of the game. We were a few points behind, but everyone from Bennington really came together to cheer the team on and in the last few minutes we scored the winning shots!”
The bus rides to and from Lincoln also became part of the experience. “We always get ourselves pumped up with some music before each game, and on the way home,” Larson said.
From the band’s perspective, sportsmanship is about more than simply performing. Sportsmanship is “standing and cheering for the team even when we don’t have to play soon, because school spirit doesn’t stop when the music does,” Rapp said.
Larson described it in a similar way. “Sportsmanship, from the band’s perspective, can look like many things, like, being respectful, professional, and positive,” Larson said. “But I think the biggest thing is showing up and supporting one another.”
For Vallis, the recognition speaks to something bigger than a single tournament. “The support we feel from our community is second to none and we are honored to have these opportunities and experiences to celebrate our community,” she said.
She hopes the award reflects the broader culture of Bennington’s activities programs. “I hope that our program is seen for its unity and community, as a place where students support each other always, and learn valuable life skills alongside musical excellence.”
For the students who spent long nights performing and cheering, the recognition is a source of pride. “Knowing the band helped represent Bennington in such a positive way is such an awesome feeling,” Larson said. “I am so proud of everything we have accomplished this year.”
“I love knowing that the band was recognized for their efforts, because we always try our hardest to represent Bennington and support our teams,” Rapp added.
