Local High School Musicians Participate
In 29th All-Star Masonic Marching Band

Eight O'Neill High School students, Benson Bohlender, Reese Grosch, Bodie Latzel, Anna Otte, Alex Otte, Riley Roessler and Hailey Romesser, were among 130 high school students from across Nebraska who participated in the 29th Nebraska Masonic All-Star Marching Band, which performed the halftime show for the Shrine Bowl game in Kearney.

The band members devoted four days of intense practice starting June 3, to learn the music, marching steps and field formations. The band gave their first public performance with a free public concert at UNK's Health and Sports Center on Friday evening, June 6. The band led the Shrine Bowl Parade down Kearney's Central and 1st Avenue on Saturday morning, June 7, and it also performed the pregame National Anthem for the 67th Annual Shrine Bowl football game at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium, on Foster Field, at the University of Nebraska—Kearney.

The band members were hosted by the Nebraska Masonic Foundation and the Grand Lodge of Nebraska under the direction of Assistant Camp Director Eric BenSalah and Camp Director-In Training, Jenn Christensen. The band was directed by Brad Weber, retired Band Director from Wayne High School, currently Instructor of Percussion at Wayne State College; Dan Sodomka, Band Director at Aurora High School; and Dr. Dave Bohnert, Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities at Wayne State College. Scholarships for these students were provided by Sesostris Shrine, Wahoo Lodge No. 59, Elkhorn Masonic Foundation, David Otte, Mark Beneda, and Tangier Shrine Directors Staff. The scholarship covered their individual cost of the camp (lodging, meals, rehearsal spaces, etc.)

“A lot was demanded of the students this week,” BenSalah said. “As usual, these kids are resilient. They rose to the challenge. Practicing upwards of 7-8 hours a day, on their feet, these kids showed they are among some of the best in the state. It is an honor to see their hard work come together in their performances and to see the new friendships they've created.”

The members also enjoyed evening activities consisting of a game night under the stadium lights, a DJ'd dance, and bowling at the Big Apple Fun Center. Many are looking forward to the opportunity to apply the instruction provided by the band directors when they return to their respective high school bands.

“The Masonic All-Star Marching Band is such an integral part of the Shrine Bowl,” said John Herbolsheimer, Grand Master of Nebraska Masons. “The memories of new friends and performing together on various occasions is a lasting memory. Then you compound that with the support they provide for the Shrine Hospitals for Children, it's a great program.” “Masonic lodges across Nebraska support local youth and community projects, humanitarian efforts including a child identification program, academic scholarships, and efforts to support our military,” Herbolsheimer said. “At the statewide level, the Grand Lodge helps to maintain two homes: The Nebraska Masonic Home at Plattsmouth for Masons and their female relatives, and the Masonic-Eastern Star Home for Children in Fremont. The combined philanthropic efforts of Masonic-related organizations amount to more than $2 million a day.” Freemasonry is the oldest and largest fraternal organization in the world that bases itself on the code of ethics of the builders of King Solomon's Temple. The Grand Lodge of Nebraska is dedicated to “men putting ethics into practice”. Supporting, operating, and participating in the Masonic All-Star Marching Band Camp is one of the ways they put those ethics into practice.

Next year's Nebraska Masonic All-Star Marching Band Camp will run from June 2 through June 6, 2026.

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