WILLARD, Mo. — From playing at pep rallies and sporting events to performing concerts and entering competitions, the Willard band is setting the tone of the school year. The band has a little over 600 students at Willard schools.

Willard-native Victoria Meraz is the Director of Bands. Meraz has long ties to the Tigers, graduating in 1986.

“I had the opportunity to be a drum major my senior year of high school and I think that’s where it really took off for me,” says Meraz.

Meraz’s has been living out her dreams for over three decades, “This may seem really silly but I wanted to come back and give back to the program that gave me so much so I am currently in my 33rd year as a director at Willard Public Schools.”

The marching band has been hard at work for the past two weeks, working on a fun show for the upcoming competitive season.

For more Back to School content from Daybreak on the Road, visit the page located here as they travel to Springfield on Tuesday, Reeds Spring on Wednesday, Strafford on Thursday and Nixa on Friday.