Lion Pride
Union Grove is known for its marching band program, under the helm of Mark Melton. Since 1988, Mr. Melton has made the band from a 12-member ensemble (as it was at the time) into an 80-something-member marching force. "Upshur County's Finest" has blown away the competition at many marching contests including the East Texas Yamboree marching contest in Gilmer, Texas, every October and the University Interscholastic League State Marching Contest, in which Union Grove has marched in three times, the most recent being the 2009 AA State Contest, in which Union Grove placed 8th, coming in behind the Regiment of Roughnecks Band from the neighboring White Oak Independent School District of White Oak, Texas by judges preference. This marked a special feat for both White Oak and Union Grove, being the only two military style marching bands at the state contest. In May, 2011, Mr. Melton announced he was leaving "the Grove" to take over as head band director at the much larger Pine Tree Independent School District in Longview, Texas, in August 2011.
Union Grove is also known for its agriculture and shop programs. With Mr. Garry T. Boyd as ag director at Union Grove since the early-1970s, the ag program has grown to be one of the best in the entire state of Texas.
Read more about this topic: Union Grove Independent School District
Famous quotes containing the words lion and/or pride:
“Roused by the lash of his own stubborn tail
Our lion now will foreign foes assail.”
—John Dryden (1631–1700)
“Gather therefore the Rose, whilest yet is prime,
For soone comes age, that will her pride deflowre:
Gather the Rose of love, whilest yet is time,
Whilest loving thou mayst loved be with equall crime.’”
—Edmund Spenser (1552?–1599)