On Sunday March 8, the Union H.S. varsity winter guard was named Class Champion of the Winter Guard International (WGI) Tulsa Regional Championship, an event hosting competing schools from a six-state area. Performing their program entitled “The Ascent”, the group tallied a score of 84.100 in the prelims and a score of 85.094 in the finals, ultimately winning both rounds of competition. 2026 marks Union’s first WGI Regional Championship in ten years. Congrats to the performing students and to Union Guard programs director Kylee Hubbard and her staff. The UHS varsity winter guard’s season continues with competitions during 4 of the next 5 weekends, including the state championship on April 4, and culminating at the WGI World Championship held in Dayton, Ohio, April 9-11.
Three Union Bands Seniors named National Merit Finalists
Named 2025-2026 National Merit Semi-Finalists last September, five Union High School Seniors have advanced and been been named National Merit Finalists; among them are three Union Bands students! Let’s congratulate:
Edwin Chen, son of Zhenyu H. Chen and Jane Luo, of Tulsa;
Jacob Coulter, son of John and Jane Coulter, of Broken Arrow
Rylan McClain, son of Jeremy and Chenelle McClain, of Broken Arrow
ABOUT NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP
These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,600 National Merit Scholarships worth about $33 million that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship® award, semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the finalist level of the competition. Finalists will be named in February 2026.
NMSC, a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance, was established in 1955 specifically to conduct the annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Scholarships are underwritten by NMSC with its own funds and by approximately 440 business organizations and higher education institutions that share NMSC’s goals of honoring the nation’s scholastic champions and encouraging the pursuit of academic excellence.
To participate in the National Merit Scholarship Program, a student must:
Be enrolled full time as a high school student, progressing normally toward graduation or completion of high school, and planning to enter college no later than the fall following completion of high school;
Be a citizen of the United States or, if not now a citizen, a permanent U.S. resident (or an applicant for permanent residency) in the process of becoming a U.S. citizen; and
Take the PSAT/NMSQT ® in the specified year of the high school program and no later than the third year in grades 9 through 12, regardless of grade classification or educational pattern.
center three pictured, left to right: Edwin Chen, Jacob Coulter, Rylan McClain
Feb 3 UHS Bands Update
WHAT'S HAPPENING
Basketball Season continues with Pep Bands for UHS Redhawks Varsity Home Games:
→ 'A2' Tue Feb 3
→ 'B2' Fri Feb 6
→ 'C2' Tue Feb 10
→ more info: www.unionbands.com/basketballpepbands
Renegade Regiment Winter Training is underway in preparation for the 2026 season! More info: www.unionbands.com/wintertraining
Several instrument-specific ensembles are meeting this semester, with more to come.
→ Saxophone Choir on Mondays at 7:15am
→ High & Low Brasses after school 4-5pm on Tuesdays
→ Percussion Ensembles before at 7:15am Tuesdays & Thursdays, and Brazilian after school on Thursdays
→ more info: www.unionbands.com/chambermusic
Union's Annual All-School Musical takes place this week. 'Shrek' is the 2026 production, and several Union Bands students are participating performers. Come out and support as an audience member this week, with 7pm shows on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. TICKETS at: https://cur8.com/16601/project/136336
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES: FEBRUARY
→ Union Winter Guards compete: Sat Feb 7 @ BA , Sat Fab 21 @ Deer Creek, Sat Feb 28 @ PC North
→ NBDA All-District Honor Bands in Concerts (7th/8th/9th Grades) Sat Feb 14 @UHS
→ Union High School Concert Bands Winter Performances Thu Feb 19, 7pm @UPAC
→ Solo/Ensemble Festival Sat Feb 21 @ Bixby HS
CELEBRATIONS & GRATITUDE
Congratulations to the 86 Union Bands 7th, 8th, and 9th Graders who earned roster spots for the 2026 NBDA All-District Honor Band, and a big shout-out to the 40+ UHS students and adult volunteers who worked hard to make the auditions event happen!
FUNDRAISING
One of our most popular fundraisers is the semi-annual sale of Blue & Gold meats. Earn big $$$ for your student accounts! MORE INFO: www.unionbands.com/blueandgold
NEWSLETTER
Be on the lookout in the next several days for our most updated issue of The Band Beat, which will include additional updates!
