Onondaga County Legislature Honors Jordan-Elbridge Marching Eagles at Board of Education Meeting

The Jordan-Elbridge Central School District Board of Education meeting held last night in the Jordan-Elbridge High School Auditorium featured a special moment of celebration as Onondaga County Legislator Ken Bush, Jr. formally recognized and honored the Jordan-Elbridge Marching Eagles for being named State Champions at the 2025 New York State Field Band Conference (NYSFBC) Championships.

The recognition served as the perfect capstone to an already unforgettable season for the Marching Eagles. On October 26, the ensemble soared to victory at the JMA Wireless Dome, capturing the NYSFBC Small School 3 Championship with a score of 83.2. The title marked the program’s 15th state championship—tied for the second-most in New York State history—and its first since 2018. The achievement was especially meaningful as it coincided with the 50th anniversary of the Jordan-Elbridge Marching Eagles.

Under the direction of Dan English, the Marching Eagles delivered a captivating 2025 field production titled “Play Well, A LEGO Story.” The imaginative show explored the limitless creativity of a child through the world of LEGO, where ideas are built without rules or boundaries. As the performance unfolded, audiences were taken on a colorful journey inside a child’s mind, watching creativity come to life and assemble in real time on the field.

Adding to the significance of the season, former Jordan-Elbridge music teacher and longtime marching band director Jim A’Hearn was inducted into the New York State Field Band Conference Hall of Fame during the state championships on October 26. The honor recognized his decades-long impact on music education and the marching arts across New York State. In a remarkable full-circle moment, four of A’Hearn’s former students—now successful marching band directors themselves—presented him with the award after leading their own bands to the top four scores in the morning show at the state championships.

Legislator Bush, Jr., who represents the 13th District, including Camillus, Baldwinsville-Van Buren, and Jordan-Elbridge, and is himself a Jordan-Elbridge alumnus, reflected on the deep community support behind the program.

“I won’t get into the year I graduated,” Bush said to laughter from the audience, “but I fondly remember the Chili Cook-offs that took place to fundraise for the Marching Eagles. The way the boosters and the community all came together—and still do—is what makes Jordan-Elbridge a tremendous place to learn and live.”

Bush presented the official recognition to Band Director Dan English. Jordan-Elbridge High School Principal Mark Schermerhorn then addressed the audience, emphasizing the district’s philosophy of “small school, big opportunities.” He noted that regardless of size, Jordan-Elbridge students continue to compete—and succeed—against much larger schools. Schermerhorn presented English with a 2025 NYSFBC Champions banner, which will be displayed prominently in the hallway outside the auditorium alongside the program’s 14 previous championship banners.

English concluded the presentation by addressing his band directly, with nearly every member of the 2025 State Champion Marching Eagles in attendance.

“There are only 38 of you,” English said. “Whenever you come back—just like all the alumni did earlier this year—you can look up and see that banner and realize that only 38 of you can say that it’s yours. Nobody can take that away. It will live here forever.”

The evening stood as a powerful celebration of excellence, tradition and community pride—hallmarks of the Jordan-Elbridge Marching Eagles program.