Pizza after the home games with fellow band members.

Helping move Chad Perkins’s truck to another part of the lot during band camp. He was so mad.

Playing pre-game at the Rams game my sophomore year.

Winter drum line getting a standing ovation at the local finals my senior year (1992). We didn’t win, but the crowd all walked out saying we should have.

I still remember all of the notes of my freshman year show:Firebird, Shaker Dance, La Suerte, Trepak, and Love in any Language.

Marching back to the quad after home games and playing our show again for anyone who wanted to stay behind and hear it.

Sweeping the Temecula competition my junior year. The last time Arvin won sweepstakes at a competition was also the same day my favorite baseball team, the Reds, won a World Series. It doesn’t get any better than that.

My parents being present at almost every performance.

Our pep band being better than the other school’s marching band at away games.

Just hanging out with my friends on the drum line trying our best to be great. David Tapia, Stacy Cuellar, Gilbert Carrillo, Mike Gray, Chad Perkins, Carlos Lara, Jackie Rodriguez, Darla Wellborn, Silvino Gomez, Squeek, Eric Gadiaza, Kim Denny, and of course my brother Gabriel Regpala.

Matthew Regpala

Class of 1992

Brigade President 1991-1992

Thanks for the memories,

Alumni Band member class of 86,

Gayla "Gonzales" Johnson

The first memory I have was when I was sold to band members and they dressed me up as Ronald McDonald. I had to be the ugliest Ronald of all time. The commercial in August was such a trip to film. It was so hot, but you members hung in there and the commercial won awards in New York City as the best local promotional commercial. I am just getting started, I have wonderful memories of all of you. The first competition in Clovis (I hate Clovis) was in the rain and the field had standing water in between the hash marks. It was a disaster as the dancers were on their knees in the water. Darrell killed me one day when he put on a gorilla mask during practice. The rifles back then weighed as much as a tuba. My son used to bug the heck out of everybody, but you all tolerated him. Now he is a big man that coaches Garces JV basketball. My mom was such a huge part of the Crimson Bear Brigade and I know you all loved her and she loved you too. 1982 the win at Camarillo was off the hook. Remember when is freaked them out when we stood at attention as them marched by us?

Jazz band at Cuesta was a kick!!!

The 1984 Olympics was truly an epic day for the Crimson Bear Brigade, Arvin H.S. our community and all of Kern County. The accomplishment may never be equaled in Kern County. I could go on and on about the beautiful seven years that I spent as your band director. Please feel free to call me or email me. I am the principal at Nueva H.S. in Lamont. It is a Continuation H.S. that does not have a band but I have wonderful staff and students. Stop by and see me or call, 845-1532

God Bless, Mike Bhone

I was a freshman and was chosen by Loyd Shires (Band Director) to be part of a core group of band members that he took down to Cal State Northridge where we were instructed in how to march by some of the Northridge band members. We learned how to "mark time" with a high step and to "glide" and not bounce on the march. We came back and acted as squad leaders for the rest of the band, often having to demonstrate in the heat before assisting others at the first band camp that summer.

I do not remember everyone who was there at Northridge, but it seems like Terry Mayborn, Martin Buchanon, Beth Young, Christine Brown and Isabel Sumaya were present. Most of those who did attend were later elected officers.

I remember that we spent every day for a week that summer practicing marching and playing. Some days were from 8:00 till 11:00 AM, and then we returned from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM, few excuses for failure to attend were accepted.

It was not easy, but friendships were made and bonds were formed that have lasted a lifetime.

I was a band member for all four years of high school in marching, concert and jazz band. I can not help to think that any success I may have had in college and my professional life later is in a large part due to the the lessons about hard work and teamwork learned while a member of the Arvin High Band.

I hope to share an appreciation for music and help the current Arvin High students by working with the Arvin High Alumni Band. I hope that any former band members who are so inclined will pick up an instrument and play with us, or provide support through membership or assistance in fundraisers.

We are planning a "Band Camp" in August and will assist the current Arvin High Director to get the band started off strong. Anyone who may be able to help in any way will be truly appreciated. Keep an eye on the website for more information.

Best wishes to all current and former band members.

Jeff Rockholt, Class of 1978

I have so many memories! I remember band camp – learning to mark time without your instrument - hands clasped and elbows up and marching heal to toe. Also baring witness to those who weren’t paying attention with marking time for 10 minutes

I remember the Friday night games, the smell of the hot chocolate and how cold it was as we performed at half time for our football team. I remember our families supporting us and taking up more than half the stadium. I remember the fight song when we made touchdowns. I remember the Alma Mater at the end of the game.

I remember the bus trips to the competitions, cuddling up under blankets, talking and laughing with friends. Stopping at McDonalds in Newhall and rushing to get food before the bus ride down the grapevine. I remember changing out of our uniforms on the bus and especially one time after performing in the cold rain when all of us were steaming fogging up the windows!! LOL!!!

But of all my four years, the Camarillo Competition was the most unforgettable competition the Brigade has ever had! I remember hearing the other school band members saying, “Where is Arvin? “ while another said “Oh they are near Pumpkin Center.” Then we went into our routine before the competition with doing scales up on a hill behind the bleachers. Once done, I remember Mr. Bhone gathering us together for the prayer and our pep talk. Then we did something different that night in which will be what I thought was brilliant and the ultimate way of firing us all up.

He lined us up along the walkway as other bands came off the hill to line up for competition. With the drum major summoning us to stand at attention – we did so and stood there as all the bands passed by. Without a single blink of our eyes and as those other bands tried to make us flinch from our stance, we held our heads high, stood at attention as if we were going to show these bands that WE ARE THE CRIMSON BEAR BRIGADE and after this evening, you will say Pumpkin Center is near Arvin! That night, I think we all knew standing at attention and hearing “Crimson Bear Brigade – You may enter the field in competition!” that it was going to be our night!

I remember, I was the line leader leading us into our first routine what I called the big ice cream and I lead the ice cream to the cone! I remember, I had to hit certain hash marks to get the perfect ice cream arch, which previous to this was always being refined. That night I remember Susie Brooks at the other side of the ice cream smiling as she acknowledged that I led us to the perfect arch. I also remember looking to my right at the guy who always criticized my arch also smiling in approval (that guy now just happens to be my husband – Julian Rodriguez).

That night I remember the sights, the lights, the cold misty air and remember we sounded so perfect! Our crescendos were right on, our marching was perfect, our drummers never missed a beat, our trumpets were screaming, our color guard flags and rifles were beautiful in perfect match to our music. I remember watching Mr. Mac and Mr. Bhone raising their arms in excitement as they watched their kids perform with their hearts and it was as if we could hear their voices saying “We Are Champions!” I remember blasting the crowd with our closing act and seeing the crowd stand in ovation as we completed our perfect show. I remember the chants of the crowds and the other bands as they too felt that we were deserving of that sweepstakes trophy.

To this day, I can’t remember the announcement of us getting sweepstakes trophy. I really don’t think it really mattered if we won or lost. I just remember crying in happiness because it was just perfect. It was like our Crimson Bear Brigade family experienced more than just winning the award but we experienced the Love we had for each other, the Pride we had as ambassadors for our small community, the love we had of our music, the dedication we had to perfecting our craft and best of all – the creation of the most memorable experience that I am sure we will all never forget!