The Alcorn School District’s marching band programs continued to make their mark on the state stage this fall, as both the Alcorn Central High School Pride of AC and the Kossuth High School Aggie Band earned All Superior ratings at the MHSAA North Regional State Marching Evaluations and advanced to the 2026 MHSAA State Marching Band Championships in Brandon, Mississippi.
Competing among Mississippi’s top Class 3A bands, both programs delivered performances that reflected months of preparation, dedication, teamwork, and a commitment to excellence. At the state championships, the Pride of AC earned third place overall, while the Aggie Band secured fifth place overall. Both bands also earned recognition in individual performance categories, highlighting the talent and hard work of their student musicians and auxiliary performers.
Pride of AC Earns Third Place Overall
Alcorn Central High School’s Pride of AC continued its impressive competitive momentum with a third-place overall finish at the 2026 state championships. The band earned third-place rankings in three major performance categories: Music, Visual Performance, and General Effect. The percussion section also placed third in its class, while the color guard earned fourth place.
These results reflect the ensemble’s musical achievement, marching precision, visual design, and ability to bring its production to life on the field.
For Alcorn Central Band Director Lee Hopson, this season represented something special in the continued growth of the program. Reflecting on the familiar advice that it takes five years to truly make a band program your own, Hopson celebrated the grit, pride, determination, and consistency demonstrated by the students throughout the season.
“Yesterday, these kids gave absolutely everything they had,” Hopson shared. “Every ounce of energy, every bit of emotion, and every second of hard work they’ve poured into this season was left on that field. I could not be prouder of them.”
Perhaps the most telling moment came after the competition, when students began asking what was next for the program.
“That right there tells me everything I need to know about where this program is headed,” Hopson said.
The Pride of AC’s recent accomplishments build on a remarkable period of growth. In 2024, the program earned its first All Superior regional evaluation in 12 years and returned to the state championships, finishing ninth overall. In 2025, Alcorn Central reached a historic milestone by capturing second place in Class 3A, earning the state runner-up title. Its third-place finish in 2026 adds another strong result to the program’s recent success.
Hopson also emphasized that the program’s progress is the result of a community effort. Assistant Band Director Jana Hopson, ACHS Choir Director Tina Downs, college students, parents, administrators, local businesses, and community supporters have all contributed to the students’ success. Hopson expressed gratitude for the many people who invest their time, resources, and talents in helping the Pride of AC grow.
“It’s not ‘just band.’ It’s OUR band,” Hopson shared, describing the pride and sense of ownership the program holds for its students and community.
Aggie Band Continues Its Tradition of Excellence
The Kossuth High School Aggie Band added another top-five state finish to its longstanding record of competitive success, placing fifth overall in the 2026 Class 3A State Marching Band Championships.
The Aggie Band also earned notable recognition in individual categories. Its color guard placed second in the state, marking the highest placement in school history for the group. The band earned third place in Visual Performance Ensemble and fifth place in General Effect, demonstrating the strength of its visual presentation and overall show design.
This year’s production, “All Gave Some, Some Gave All,” honored the men and women who have served the United States, remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country.
Kossuth Band Director Brandon Harvell praised his students for their perseverance throughout the season and their determination to finish strong.
“I’m so proud of our kids who overcame adversity and finished strong,” Harvell shared. “I love the fact that they shed many tears for our 5th place finish. They always want to win!”
That competitive drive is part of what has helped establish the Aggie Band as a consistent presence among Mississippi’s top Class 3A programs. Since 2011, Kossuth has finished among the state’s top five bands in all but one championship year, excluding the COVID-related cancellation of the championships.
The 2026 results add to that legacy while giving the program another milestone to celebrate through its color guard’s historic second-place finish.
Harvell also recognized the close-knit relationships among area band programs, including Kossuth, Booneville, Alcorn Central, and Corinth. He emphasized the support and cooperation shared among directors and students throughout the region, congratulating the other Class 3A bands that qualified for state competition.
A Shared Commitment to Excellence
Although the Pride of AC and the Aggie Band have their own traditions, productions, and accomplishments, their success reflects a shared commitment to student growth, teamwork, and excellence.
Both programs earned the opportunity to compete at the state level through their All Superior regional ratings. Both returned with top-five finishes and individual accolades. Most importantly, both represented their schools and the Alcorn School District through the dedication and determination of their students.
Behind every performance are countless hours of rehearsals, the support of families and communities, and the guidance of directors and staff who invest in helping students reach their potential.
Congratulations to the Alcorn Central High School Pride of AC and the Kossuth High School Aggie Band on outstanding 2026 marching seasons! The Alcorn School District is proud of these students, their directors, and everyone who helped make this year's accomplishments possible.
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