Creating memories that will last forever is a big part of what the high school experience is all about and the Nease High marching band has created an account at gofundme.com in an attempt to raise money to do just that.
The group is trying to raise money so that it can fulfill its invitation to perform during the Daytona 500’s pre-race ceremony Feb. 19.
“When opportunity comes a knocking, you have to answer the door,” Nease band director Spencer Oyster said. “It speaks to all the hard work these kids and band parents have put in.”
According to Oyster, this has been something that has been in the works since early December when he received a call from NASCAR and they informed him of the proposition.
He has been the school’s director since March of last year and he stated that it was the past relationship NASCAR and Nease had that led them to high on their list of possible performers.
“I grew up with my family always having NASCAR on the TV growing up, so I know all about it,” Oyster chuckled. “My mom was a Tony Stewart fan, and I was more of a Ryan Newman fan myself.”
Even those students who may not be fans of NASCAR understood what an opportunity they have in front of them, and excitement quickly spread throughout the group following the invitation.
The Daytona 500 is a marquee sporting event that captures audiences worldwide and easily more than 100,000 are expected to converge upon Daytona International Speedway on race day.
Oyster has seen the diligent work the group has put in and believes they deserve the chance to bask in the glory of a showcase like the Daytona 500.
“Moments like this are where the nine hours a week after school and the individual work and practice put in really makes a difference,” Oyster said. “Our seniors are all hard workers and have put in their time, and for the younger ones it shows them where the hard work can get you. I remember that’s how I was when I was in high school band and it’s still that way years later.”
However, the reason for the creation of the gofundme account is that because NASCAR’s invitation did not come until December, it was not factored into the band’s budget at the start of the school year.
According to Oyster, it comes out to be about a $10,000 trip once each of the band members and equipment is factored in. Plus, the transport needed to get all of it down to Daytona.
All of the moving parts that go into making it happen is why the band has decided to reach out to the community to help them meet what they need to cover the cost and create a memory they will never forget.
“For those students who have been through COVID, they have not had the typical number of opportunities during their high school years,” Oyster said. “Opportunities like this do not come around very often. It is once-in-a-lifetime.”
Any businesses in the community looking to sponsor the band’s trip can connect with Oyster by sending an email to spencer.oyster@stjohns.k12.fl.us, and anyone wanting to help can donate by searching for the “Sponsor a student at the Daytona 500!” page. About $75 to $100 is enough to sponsor one student’s trip.
