Feb 3 UHS Bands Update

WHAT'S HAPPENING
Basketball Season continues with Pep Bands for UHS Redhawks Varsity Home Games:
→ 'A2' Tue Feb 3
→ 'B2' Fri Feb 6
→ 'C2' Tue Feb 10
→ more info: www.unionbands.com/basketballpepbands

Renegade Regiment Winter Training is underway in preparation for the 2026 season! More info: www.unionbands.com/wintertraining

Several instrument-specific ensembles are meeting this semester, with more to come.
→ Saxophone Choir on Mondays at 7:15am
→ High & Low Brasses after school 4-5pm on Tuesdays
→ Percussion Ensembles before at 7:15am Tuesdays & Thursdays, and Brazilian after school on Thursdays
→ more info: www.unionbands.com/chambermusic

Union's Annual All-School Musical takes place this week. 'Shrek' is the 2026 production, and several Union Bands students are participating performers. Come out and support as an audience member this week, with 7pm shows on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. TICKETS at: https://cur8.com/16601/project/136336

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES: FEBRUARY
→ Union Winter Guards compete: Sat Feb 7 @ BA , Sat Fab 21 @ Deer Creek, Sat Feb 28 @ PC North
→ NBDA All-District Honor Bands in Concerts (7th/8th/9th Grades) Sat Feb 14 @UHS
→ Union High School Concert Bands Winter Performances Thu Feb 19, 7pm @UPAC
→ Solo/Ensemble Festival Sat Feb 21 @ Bixby HS

CELEBRATIONS & GRATITUDE
Congratulations to the 86 Union Bands 7th, 8th, and 9th Graders who earned roster spots for the 2026 NBDA All-District Honor Band, and a big shout-out to the 40+ UHS students and adult volunteers who worked hard to make the auditions event happen!

FUNDRAISING
One of our most popular fundraisers is the semi-annual sale of Blue & Gold meats. Earn big $$$ for your student accounts! MORE INFO: www.unionbands.com/blueandgold

NEWSLETTER
Be on the lookout in the next several days for our most updated issue of The Band Beat, which will include additional updates!

ARTICLE: "What Employers Want, Musicians Have"

PARENTS: Students can learn 21st-century job skills in the music classroom. Check out this article.

Union Band student crowned in Miss Juneteenth competition

Union High School student, Union Band member, and Renegade Regiment Drum Major Aaliyah Albert-Oliver was recently crowned Oklahoma’s Miss Juneteenth and went on to win the national title!

Aaliyah Albert-Oliver, a student at Union High School, has been crowned Miss Juneteenth, earning the title during Oklahoma’s first-ever Miss Juneteenth competition and going on to win at the national level.

There is no centralized or official count of how many Miss Juneteenth pageants are held in Oklahoma, as the events are not governed by a single statewide organization. Instead, Miss Juneteenth pageants in Oklahoma are typically organized at the local or community level and are often tied to city or regional Juneteenth celebrations. Communities such as Midwest City have hosted their own Miss Juneteenth leadership or scholarship-style pageants, while other cities may hold similar competitions as part of annual festivities. Because each event operates independently, the total number of Miss Juneteenth pageants in Oklahoma can vary from year to year and is not formally tracked statewide.

This National Miss Juneteenth Scholarship Program, now in its sixth year, expanded to Oklahoma for the first time in 2025. The program is led nationally by Starr Fisher, Executive Director of National Miss Juneteenth and founder of Miss Juneteenth Oklahoma.

Fisher said the selection process is rigorous and intentionally designed to be more than a traditional pageant. The program honors the legacy of Juneteenth, emphasizing life, liberty, education and the ongoing pursuit of equality and excellence. Delegates must be biological females between the ages of 15 and 21, enrolled in school or preparing to begin college, and endorsed by a Juneteenth organization, business or agency.

Participants are required to complete a minimum of 168 hours of community service, write a Juneteenth-related essay of at least 500 words, participate in judges’ interviews, and demonstrate knowledge of key Freedom Documents, including the Emancipation Proclamation, 13th Amendment or General Order No. 3. Delegates also complete sales and marketing outreach, advertising solicitation, and personal introduction presentations.

Fisher said Albert-Oliver stood out among candidates from across the country for her academic achievements, more than 300 hours of community service, entrepreneurial spirit, and strong interview performance. Fisher said Albert-Oliver’s values, personality and preparation made her the clear choice to represent Oklahoma — and ultimately helped her bring home the national crown.

Albert-Oliver said being crowned Miss Juneteenth was an unforgettable moment. She said she had never competed in a program like this before and that the hard work paid off. She described the experience as the best night of her life.

Albert-Oliver said the title represents more than a crown. As Miss Juneteenth, she sees her role as an opportunity to inspire younger girls and serve as a role model for youth in Oklahoma and across the nation while sharing a message of freedom for all.

Looking ahead to 2026, Miss Juneteenth will travel across the country judging pageants, emceeing events and making appearances at schools and youth-focused programs. Albert-Oliver also plans to continue operating her business, Amazing Grace K9 Cuisine, which produces human-grade dog food, while hosting community events such as school supply and grocery giveaways. For more information about Miss Juneteenth or booking requests, click here.

~ CREDIT: Tulsa News on 6 Reporter ABBIE DE VERA