A tradition of excellence in the world of jazz continued at Pella High School this week when Pella Jazz I claimed the program’s 18th state championship.

Pella performed at the Iowa Jazz Championships, which highlights the best 60 schools in Iowa in a day filled with music at Iowa State University.

Annaleigh Babcock on trumpet and Isaac Piersma on drums were both selected as two of the four outstanding performers recognized in Class 3A, and they say it was a honor to be considered among the best musicians at the competition.

“When I won the award, it was very touching to me, because it’s kind of gratifying to be picked by a judge of all that work that I put in was really worth it, and somebody else is recognizing that as well,” Piersma says.

“It’s always just really nice to feel like your appreciated — and not that it’s the only way to show that you are appreciated, but to have a judge think that, ‘wow, that was really, really good,’ makes you feel nice inside,” Babcock says.

Troy Miller and Levi Dugger say winning the championship meant a great deal to them, as they feel like they have become an even bigger part of the long legacy of success at Pella.

“It feels really good to be a part of that legacy and how much work you need to put in to make that a real deal,” Miller says.

“The legacy that Pella Jazz I has in this area is so widespread…everyone in Iowa knows Pella is very good in band–especially marching band and jazz, so just being able to be a part of this legacy is an honor,” Dugger says.

Audio from the encore performance at Pella High: