LAURENS - The Union County High School Band won the "David C. Mauldin Grand Championship Award" at the Henry Laurens Invitational Marching Band Contest on Saturday at Laurens District 55 High School.

The band, competing in Class IV, won Best Drum Major, Best Percussion, Best Colorguard, Best Hornline and First Place. Overall, the band placed first with a score of 92.6. Broome High School was second with a score of 86 and Westside High School was third with a score of 84.3.

"Our students are working hard and getting better each week,” band director Buddy Wilkes said. “This was our best performance of the year."

Assistant band directors are Ronnie Johnson, Kevin Hames, Jill McAbee, and Travis Waters. The colorguard instructor is Ronda Palmer. Band officers are Nan Gregory-Drum Major, Paul Greer-Band Captain, Stephen Jennings-Brass Captain, Tyler Davis and Whitney Sizemore-Woodwind Captains, Lindsey Connolly and Jana Crocker-Colorguard Captains, and Davey West, Megan Roberts, and Carl Harris-Percussion Captains.

The band's show theme this year is "Les Mis" based on music from the Broadway musical "Les Miserables." Their next performance will be at the Chesnee Eagle Classic on Oct. 11 in Chesnee. On Oct.18, the band will compete in the Official South Carolina Upperstate AAA Marching Band Championships at Clinton High School.