Cypress High School’s indoor percussion became trail-“blazers” for their program with its show “Embers,” earning record-breaking scores and a fourth-place finish at the SCPA Scholastic A Championships after months of rigorous preparation and competition.
The program, led by Front Ensemble Caption Head Nicholas “Nick” Quan, Battery Caption Head Lorenzo “Lonzo” Everett, Visual Design Caption Head Johnny Jagerman, built its production around a phoenix rising from the ashes, using soundtracks from the band The Dear Hunter to bring the show to life. The main lyric vocal from the show, “the flame is gone, the fire remains” became a defining central message for the group throughout the season.
Cypress reached a major milestone on March 28 at Los Osos High School in Temecula, where the Centurions earned a school record-breaking score of 92.30 during preliminary competition. Embers marked their highest score in program history since the percussion ensemble scored 90.25 on March 14, 2010 at Aliso Niguel High School, in the SCPA Scholastic A Class Championships. This secured their place among other top schools like Arcadia High School and previous winners Upland High School in the SCPA Scholastic A division championships.
Following their record-setting performance, the group advanced to the SCPA Championships, where they placed fourth with a score of 92.21. “[I] felt a sense of relief that we finished the show earlier than in years past,” Quan explained.
Members credited their success to an intense rehearsal schedule that included early morning practices and extended after-school sessions. The dedication paid off as the ensemble steadily improved their scores at each competition, culminating in their championship appearance.
Beyond the group’s competition success, the season carried emotional weight for many of the program’s seniors, many of whom have spent four years in the percussion ensemble. “Being a part of the seniors that have been here for four years in the percussion program, it’s amazing to see how far we’ve come and everything we’ve established…it’s been an honor being the first drum set player at Cypress in around five years. I felt like I had a huge responsibility, not only as a section leader or as a senior, but my position in the ensemble as a drumset player,” Senior Ezra Jarvis, explained. Their final performances marked the end of a significant chapter filled with long rehearsals, shared challenges, and lasting friendships.
Senior Jayden Vuong “I felt kinda sad because it was the last time I was going to play in the same time as these guys.”
Junior Mahi Patel experienced her first year competing in indoor percussion as a part of the visual ensemble. “I was hesitant about joining, I wasn’t sure if this program was for me, but after a while, I created such a great bond with the team. I definitely think that joining was the right decision for this season.” Patel initially focused on tuba throughout her marching season, but decided to try something new for the winter season.
Cypress High’s “Embers” leaves behind more than just scores and placements, it tells a story of resilience, growth, and renewal, proving that even when the flame is gone, the fire remains. Percussion members recall Everett’s words of motivation before performing, “hearts on fire, minds on ice.”
