By Keily Alfonzo, Interning Correspondent for The Apopka Voice
The Apopka High School Marching Band is beginning preparations to embark on a journey like no other.
During the Apopka City Council's November 6th meeting, Kimberly Chmiel, an Apopka High School Blue Darter Marching Band volunteer, announced its plans for the exciting venture.
"I'm very excited to announce that we have been invited to London to march in the parade for January of 2026," said Chmiel. "We are a band of 260 students, very active, especially during the football season, and one of the largest bands in Orange County."
The Apopka High School Marching Band.
Chmiel also said that during last week's musical performances, they achieved the highest rating possible given to a marching band, 'superior,' which is a rating comparable to the grade of "A" and it reflects the finest performance for the event and class of participants evaluated, according to the Florida School Music Association.
During her presentation, Chmiel emphasized the trip's expense and said that they needed to raise as much money as possible to send the whole band to London.
"It's a weeklong event, and all of the expenses will be paid, but we are not too sure yet about pricing because it's a little too early to look at flights, but they'll be able to march, do some sightseeing, and have the trip of a lifetime," she said.
Her purpose at the meeting was to request financial assistance from the City of Apopka and to discuss some of the fundraiser events the school is planning to have in the next few months.
"We do have some time to fundraise, and we are actively doing so," Chmiel said. "We have a fundraiser coming up where we're going to be selling Papa John's cards, and we also will have another event where we're going to have people come to Froggers; 20% of the money collected will go to the marching band, but any funding that we can receive would be tremendous to help as many kids be able to take advantage of this opportunity."
"I see you're starting very early to fundraise," Vice Mayor Diane Velazquez said. "What's the deadline to have the funds available, and how much are we looking at?"
Chmiel said they are starting to fundraise early because they need to have the funds available by May 2025, and the final date to submit payment for all expenses is November 2025.
Commissioner Alexander Smith asked about the selection process to determine who goes on the trip since there are more than 260 band members.
"At the moment, they have a five-to-one ratio for pairing the students to the chaperones," Chmiel said. "Anybody's able to go, but for everybody to be able to go, we need one chaperone for every five students... so I think it boils down to funding."
Chmiel said they are working hard to raise as much money as possible so everyone can take advantage of this opportunity.
"The students are very excited to go," she said.
