Sparta High School Honors Marching Band and Color Guard 2025 Seniors

SPARTA, NJ – The Marching Spartan seniors were honored before the football game on Friday, September 27. The marching band and color guard seniors were met midfield by their families, as their names were announced.

Paula Aldaz was met by her mother  Silvana, father Paul and brother Aleck. Aldaz has been a band member for two years and is part of the front ensemble. Her favorite band memory is “when Mr Lopez battled a snake with a guard flag during rehearsal last year.”

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE TAPINTO.NET NEWSLETTER

Aldaz is applying to New York University to pursue a degree in architecture and minor in music. “I hope to open my own firm one day and eventually make time to continue teaching music,” Aldaz said.

Brianna Brennan was escorted by her mother Erin, father John, sister Alyssa and brother John. Brennan has been a member of the band for four years. He now plays the clarinet but was part of the piccolo section for two years and a member of the color guard for a year.

Brennan’s favorite marching band memory when she “was deciding to try something new this year by learning the clarinet to play in marching band. In doing so, I developed great friendships with everyone in the clarinet section. I probably wouldn't have gotten a chance to know them this well if I didn't switch. I can't wait to make more memories during my last year of marching band and I will miss it very much.”

She plans to pursue a degree in music education and become an elementary school band teacher.

DOWNLOAD THE FREE TAPINTO APP FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS. AVAILABLE IN THE APPLE STORE AND THE GOOGLE PLAY STORE .

Haley Erickson was met midfield by her mother Christianne, father Gregg and brother Matt. She has been in the band for four years playing the alto saxophone and a field captain. Her favorite band memory is when “the marching band went to the Rutgers football game and got to play in the halftime show.”

Erickson plans to “continue marching band at a big marching band college and study biology/health sciences.”

Julianne Handzus was met by her mother Patti and father Blaine. She has been a member of the marching band for four years and is a two-year color guard captain. Handzus’ favorite band memory “is seeing everyone truly enjoying themselves and feeling happy to be a part of this. The bonds everyone has made is so heartwarming and seeing how much everyone has grown and learned from each other is the best thing about marching band.”

Handzus said she  “plans to major in vocal music education and minor in Russian. I hope to teach choir and voice in the future and marching band has helped me find my true passion for music. “

Kaitlyn Kayser was met by her mom Kara, dad Chris and sister Emily. She has been part of the marching band for foru years and is a two year color guard captain. Kayser’s favorite band memory  is “the parking lot after ACCs Fosse year. The whole guard ended up crying while Tomlin was talking about how proud of us he was and how amazing the show was. He actually cried too. But we were all just so proud of the show and so sad it was over. And we had so many guard seniors leaving too, and after Tomlin was done talking we had a guard group hug and we were all just still crying. And honestly, even though that sounds sad, it was a really special moment between all of us that I'll never forget. We put together an amazing show that we all loved, and that was kind of our goodbye to it.”

She said she plans “to attend college for early childhood education to become a teacher and I will continue as many of my extracurriculars as I can if they're provided at the school I go to.”

Lynessa Marrow was met by her father Richard, stepmom Jen, sister Guliana and brother Junior.  This is Marrow's third year as a member of the color guard.  Her favorite band memory “ was our trip to Rutgers my first season. The bus ride, watching their band/guard, performing on a college field, sitting in the stands, all made it a really cool experience.”

Marrow plans to "attend college for early childhood education to become a teacher and will continue as many extracurricular as I can if they're provided at the school I go to."

Hannah Mclean was escorted by her mom Candace, dad Richard and brother Justin. She has been in the alto saxophone section of the band for three years. Mclean’s “favorite memory from marching band is anytime I'm with my friends. I've met such amazing people through this program and I'll have lifelong memories from all of them.”

She plans “to continue her education by going to college and majoring in biochemistry, then moving on to dental school to become a dentist.”

Emily Pappa was escorted by Ethan, Scott and Cathy.  Pappa has been a member of the front ensemble for three years and is front ensemble captain. Her “favorite band memories every year are made during the skit night/senior awards during band camp. I love that we all grow much closer and have an opportunity to vocalize our appreciation for other band members.”

Pappa said she is going to major in education to become a high school English teacher.

Gianna Ramieri met her mom Terri, sister Lila, brother Joseph, stepdad Jason and stepsister Faith.  She is a three year member of the color guard and serves as color guard captain. Her favorite band memory is “during Fosse when we were cutting the skirts and figuring out costumes, and Lori said something really funny... If you know, you know.”

She plans to major in biology or human science and attend medication school to become a doctor, “hopefully to open my own doctor’s office one day.”

Bridgid Robinson was escorted by her mom Meredith and dad Daniel. Robinson is a four year member of the band playing sousaphone. Her favorite band memory is “performing with the sousaphone on the field for the first time. I was so proud of myself for accomplishing the goal I set for myself.”

Robinson plans to go to Sussex County Community College and get a job in carpentry.

Madelyn Rufino was met midfield by her mother Emily, Father Michael and sisters Charlotte and Michaela. Rufino has been a member of the band for four years. She has been in the color guard and is one of the drum majors.

Rufino’s favorite band memory is “at Region 10 champions my freshman year, I will never forget the feeling I had while playing Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral. That piece has stuck with me because I just remember feeling like the clouds opened up and the sun started shining through as soon as we started playing that beautiful piece of music.”

She said she “plans to attend a four year college and seek further education in law school and study to be an attorney. I hope to pursue my passion for music and dance in college and throughout life.”

Laura Scheri was escorted by her mother Terri and father John. She has been a member of the band for four years, plays snare drum and is one of the drum majors. Scheri’s favorite band memory “was from band camp my freshman year. The drumline and pit filled the orchestra room's whiteboard with a bunch of silly images and quotes each day, and every time we spotted something new on the board we always pointed it out and laughed about it together. It was a great way to get to know the upperclassmen in my section and the first time I really felt like I belonged in the band.”

Scheri said she plans to go to college to study music education with percussion as her primary instrument.

Rain Shauger was met by her mother Chrissy, sister Ella, stepdad John Lott, best friend and ex-marching band member Jayce Tanzola. Shauger is a four year member fo the band playing the snare drum. She is also one of the drumline captains.

Shauger’s favorite band memory is “after competing at our last competition of the year, we get to eat sandwiches. In 2021, Crown and Glory year, while eating these sandwiches the whole band shared twizzlers.”

She said she plans on “going to college in a Northern state, hopefully Boston University and getting an education in music education.”

Natalie Torres was escorted by her mom Sandra, dad Juan and sister Amanda. She is a three year member of the band, playing trumpet and is a two year field captain. Her favorite band memory is “finally buying Hannah that cheeseburger.”

She said she “plans to double major in psychology and communication sciences and disorders to become a speech therapist. I also plan to continue music and singing outside of school.”

Egg Wieczezak was escorted by her mom Laura and dad Bryan Sr. and brother Bryan Jr. She has been in the band for three years and plays piano. She is a captain in the front ensemble. Wieczezak said “one of my favorite memories is going to ACCS. My friend Aneesh asked me to pick a number 1-13 and I said 2. The whole band held hands, anxiously awaiting for our placement and low and behold, we got second place.”

After high school Wieczezak plans on getting a degree in forensic psychology at Montclair State University.

For more local news, visit TAPinto.net