Steinbrenner High School's Marching Warrior Brigade earned the Grand Champion title at the East Lake Classic Marching Competition on Saturday, Oct. 17.

The Lutz and Odessa school's marching band won the top award at the annual event held at East Lake High School, 1300 Silver Eagle Drive in Tarpon Springs. Steinbrenner High announced the win on X on Tuesday, Oct. 20.

The published schedule lists 15 competitive bands, including Steinbrenner, and host East Lake’s Silver Sound in exhibition, according to the East Lake Classic website. Placements and caption awards were announced on the field the evening of the competition.

The organizer’s results page had not posted scores or caption awards when checked Oct. 22.

The Grand Champion result caps months of preparation for the program. The brigade held its annual band camp July 27-31 under the direction of Daniel "Chip" Wood, according to the Steinbrenner student newspaper, the Oracle. New and returning members spent the week refining instrument skills and building teamwork ahead of the marching season.

The camp wrapped with a Friends and Family Show in the school gymnasium, where students performed material they had rehearsed in less than a week. Parents, family members and friends got a firsthand look at the progress made during the intensive week.

Band Boosters president-elect Jennifer Dillon told the Oracle in August that the organization held a financial meeting for parents that same evening to outline rehearsal expectations, performance schedules and volunteer opportunities. Students, families, directors and volunteers then gathered for a barbecue dinner to celebrate the end of camp.

Sophomore Cassandra Poulos told the Oracle in August that the camaraderie kept her coming back. "My favorite part about band camp is getting to spend time with all of my friends," she said.