FOUKE, Ark. -- Fouke High School's Panther Marching Band on Tuesday won its fifth consecutive state championship.
The band won the Arkansas 3A Marching Band State Championship at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. They competed with 14 other 3A bands from across the state, earning the first place trophy for the fifth year in a row.
For Band Director Don Colquitt and his band, winning state championships is becoming more of a habit than an achievement.
"Since we've had so much success throughout the years, that's always our goal," Colquitt said. "That's about the highest goal you could set for a group is to repeat as a state champion. So far, we've just been fortunate to make it come true."
Colquitt, in his third year as the high school director, gave all the credit to his students for making it happen.
"I've got to give the credit to the students because they're the ones who get out there and do the work," he said. "We've got a really great bunch of kids this year."
Colquitt also credited the Fouke School District Board of Trustees and administration for their support of the band program.
"With every group, you set goals for what you want to reach. But we start out the year, and our goal is always to be the top band in the state. That's a pretty lofty goal, but my students understand the work it takes to get there. We push them very hard, and they're willing to do what it takes," he said.
"I'm just super proud of them. They're really, really something."