By Theresa Garee

Thanks to the Hilltop community, the West High School marching band has new uniforms this season.

Hilltop Arts Collective was able to contribute to the fundraising goal set by Joe Hoye of Life Long Tees and the West High band for the printing of new uniforms for their whole ensemble. Their contribution, combined with other donations from the westside community and West High alumni, fully funded their new uniforms ahead of the goal deadline.

As a thank-you The West High School marching band held a pop up pre-game performance on Friday, Sept. 12 at Crescent Park, which is between Crescent Drive and Olive Street and on Binns Boulevard.

Joe Hoye is a Hilltop resident and West High alum, and also the owner of Life Long Tees. He has helped with several different initiatives at West High and this is the latest one. He printed the new polos that will serve as their uniforms as they work to build up their band program, which has doubled in size in the last year. Their goal was to raise $900 for the cost of ink, the Hilltop Arts Collective put in a donation of $500 and the rest was raised by Hilltop residents and West High alumni.