A request for the Pella High School marching band to take a trip to Tampa, Florida was approved at the school board’s last meeting. Traditionally, the band takes a large trip every four years, but next year’s trip will be extra special. The Pella marching band will be performing with other bands at halftime of the January 2011 Outback Bowl football game. Pella Schools Superintendent Mark Wittmer says the community’s support of the band helps make the trip possible, and is careful to emphasize that money from the district’s general fund is not used to pay for expenses.