Hannah Stanfield is ready to take the field and lead 223 of her peers as head drum major in the Sparkman High School Band.

Hannah Stanfield is lead drum major for the Sparkman High School Band.

The 2012 Sparkman High School Band has 80 woodwinds, 90 brass, 30 percussion instrumentalists and 23 members in the color guard.

A senior at Sparkman, Stanfield started playing French horn in sixth grade under the direction of Donald Dowdy at Monrovia Middle School.

“I auditioned for drum major because I wanted to be in a position that would enable me to be in a leadership role,” Stanfield said. “I wanted to help people be the best they could be.”

Although in her first year as lead field director, she has served as assistant drum major for two years. “My first year, I didn’t think I would make it because I was only an upcoming sophomore, but my band directors and peers had faith in me and have supported me along the way,” Stanfield said.

When the Sparkman band marches, the group uses the “straight leg” approach in their gait. “It looks like a strict military style, but it doesn’t feel as strict on the body,” Stanfield said.

A drum major’s duties include teaching upcoming freshman bandsmen and rookie members how to march, assisting the band directors throughout the entire season and leading and conducting the band on the field, in the stands and in parades.

Stanfield will be entering her third year in the Sparkman Medical Academy. She will be graduating with academic honors in 2013.

Her parents are Scott and Tammy Stanfield. Hannah’s sisters are Erica, 13, a student at Monrovia Middle School and Laura, 10, who attends Endeavor Elementary School. The Stanfield family lives in Magnolia Springs in Harvest.

Hannah Stanfield will attend Auburn University in 2013 and hopes to continue in marching band. She will major in nursing.

Two other students, Destiny Martin and Hannah Beals, help Stanfield as assistant drum majors. David Raney is band director.

For more information visit, sparkman-band.info.