The Amway Center was filled with families like the Poitiers on Friday night – multiple generations of HBCU graduates who want to continue passing down the tradition to younger generations.”We’re out here to have a historical moment. This is Isaiah’s first time coming to the classic. I’m a graduate of Bethune Cookman, and so are Poppy and Kevin. I’m the class of ‘77,” said Constance Poitier, who goes to the Florida Classic every year.Twelve top high school bands from all over the southeast traveled to Orlando for the competition, which leads up to Florida A&M and Bethune Cookman’s football game on Saturday.For James and Latoya Bowe – who travel to Orlando from South Florida for this every year – it’s all about the music.”You love the band. He likes the band,” Latoya said.”I love football, but band is my heart,” James said.Neither of them attended an HBCU, but they say they love the way this event brings people together.”The energy is awesome. Everyone comes together and has fun. There’s no bickering, no arguments. Everything is peaceful,” Latoya said.For Anika Brayheard and her sister Anita, there’s a deeper connection. Their father was the band director at Bethune Cookman, and they say they come here every year in his memory.”We grew up here at the Florida Classic. When we come to the Classic, I always feel that he’s here with us,” Anita said.The football game is on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at Camping World Stadium.
The Amway Center was filled with families like the Poitiers on Friday night – multiple generations of HBCU graduates who want to continue passing down the tradition to younger generations.
“We’re out here to have a historical moment. This is Isaiah’s first time coming to the classic. I’m a graduate of Bethune Cookman, and so are Poppy and Kevin. I’m the class of ‘77,” said Constance Poitier, who goes to the Florida Classic every year.
Twelve top high school bands from all over the southeast traveled to Orlando for the competition, which leads up to Florida A&M and Bethune Cookman’s football game on Saturday.
For James and Latoya Bowe – who travel to Orlando from South Florida for this every year – it’s all about the music.
“You love the band. He likes the band,” Latoya said.
“I love football, but band is my heart,” James said.
Neither of them attended an HBCU, but they say they love the way this event brings people together.
“The energy is awesome. Everyone comes together and has fun. There’s no bickering, no arguments. Everything is peaceful,” Latoya said.
For Anika Brayheard and her sister Anita, there’s a deeper connection. Their father was the band director at Bethune Cookman, and they say they come here every year in his memory.
“We grew up here at the Florida Classic. When we come to the Classic, I always feel that he’s here with us,” Anita said.
The football game is on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at Camping World Stadium.
