After success at state and national competitions, they are recruiting in February, March for next season
LINWOOD — Musicians stepping in unison while belting out on brass, flags flipping and twirling, the Mainland Regional High School Marching Band had another season of competitive success this year under the leadership of Band Director Kevin Flaherty.
Somers Point City Council honored the band with individual proclamations Dec. 11.
“The Mainland Regional High School Marching Band has had an outstanding 2025 season performing ‘Unbreakable’ under the skilled direction of band director Kevin Flaherty,” Mayor Dennis Tapp said. “The band represented the communities of Northfield, Linwood and Somers Point with distinction at the USBands national competition … where they competed against top bands from across the country.”
City Council proclaimed Dec. 12 as Mainland Regional High School Marching Band Day “in honor of its talents, determination and contribution to our communities’ proud tradition of education and artistic achievement,” Tapp said.
City Council President Charlie Haberkorn lauded the band members for their achievements.
“It does take a lot of dedication and you guys spend a lot of time I know practicing,” he said. “Not having any musical ability, I have such respect for anybody who’s willing to put themselves out there as you folks did in a competition.”
Nearly 30 members showed up in person to accept their proclamation.
The Mainland Regional High School Board of Education honored members of the band and color guard Nov. 17.
On Nov. 8, the six-member color guard became national champions and the 38-member marching band took fourth place in the 1AA National Championships at J. Birney Crum Stadium in Allentown, Pa.
The prior week, the band won the 2025 USBands 1A state championship at South Brunswick High School, also taking home caption awards for Best Music and Best Overall Effect, as well as second place in Percussion and Color Guard captions.
The band is a seven-time state champion, four-time Region 1 champion and won the 2019 Tournament of Bands ACC Championship.
Flaherty is in his first year as band director at Mainland, following six years in the same role at Pleasantville High School. He attributed the success to the efforts of all involved.
“The support from the parents, doing whatever we needed them to do, always being there, allowed us to just go the extra mile with what we did this year. The administration was excellent as well. Staff, parents, administration, kids all on the same page,” Flaherty said.
He said he was fortunate to be able to assemble a terrific staff, noting he did not know many of them before they joined him.
“I cast a wide net at the beginning of summer and happened to find some really terrific people,” he said. “The kids took to them right away and their skills and personality fit so well with what I was trying to do my first year.”
Marching Band Boosters President Shannah Smith, who also is a media specialist at the school, has been involved for about six years including two years as president.
“During that time, I have built props, I’ve assisted on the field, helped students with gauntlets and shakos, and making sure they’re fed before competitions, along with so many other things,” Smith said. “It’s all to see to their well-being so they can be the best that they can be.”
Also during that time, the marching band has won a state championship twice (2023).
“That is no small feat, and we’re so proud of them. The dedication, devotion and camaraderie the students and staff have for each other is always amazing and uplifting to see,” Smith said. “No matter what instrument they play or flag they throw, they all treat each other as equals and challenge each other to be better than they were the day before.”
In recognition of the achievements, Smith presented proclamations from the city of Linwood and Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson.
The 2025-26 student leadership team consisted of Drum Major Evelynn Smith, Color Guard Captains Jessica Cipkins and Amy Stefanowicz, Brass Captain Amber Baldwin, Woodwind Captain Melany Lino-Melo, Battery Captain Sky Simmerman, Pit Captain Aniya McCabe and Field Managers Lyla Klueg and Eric Ekstrom.
The field show was themed “Unbreakable.” Smith said it meant “basically no matter what happens they will be family, friends and overcome all the odds.”
She said they proved it by increasing their score in nearly every performance, “even from states to nationals, when they had one of the highest jumps in score. They have done amazing and are so supportive of each other.”
They started the season Sept. 13 at Lenape High School with a first-place finish (70.2 points) along with captions for Best Music, Best Visual and Best Overall Effect.
On Sept. 20 at Seneca High School, they finished first (72.3) and captions for Best Music, Best Visual and Best Overall Effect.
The band was first again Sept. 27 at Absegami High School (75.9) and Oct. 4 at Hammonton High School, again earning honors for Best Music, Best Visual and Best Overall Effect.
On Oct. 11 at Seneca High School, the musicians had their highest score to date (79, first place) and the color guard won its first honor of the season (Best Music, Best Visual, Best Overall Effect, Best Color Guard).
Continuing to earn higher scores, the band took first place Oct. 18 at Kingsway Regional High School with 81.9 points (Best Music, Best Visual, Best Overall Effect) and Oct. 25 at Egg Harbor Township High School (83.6), as well as captions for Best Music, Best Visual, Best Overall Effect.
“They were so elated and proud of themselves, ecstatic with how everything came together and they worked as a smooth, functioning unit and pulled this off,” Smith said.
Flaherty is hoping to increase participation for next season.
“I would love to continue to grow the group in any way, shape or form,” Flaherty said, noting he would like to reach 50 members.
A recruiting session for the marching band is scheduled for 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 11, while the color guard will hold a spin clinic from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. March 11.
“We’re inviting kids in seventh to 11th grades, of any skill level, to learn what it’s like to be in the color guard,” Flaherty said.
– STORY by CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
– PHOTOS by DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
