The Wildkits marching band made a vibrant entry into Evanston Township High School’s auditorium on Monday. Their orange and blue uniforms lit up the venue during the annual Band Day event. The showcase featured performances by the marching band, the wind symphony, the jazz ensemble, and the eighth grade band from Evanston/Skokie School District 65.
For attendees, this concert offered a crucial break from an upsetting event three nights before. During a football game against New Trier High School at the new $875 million stadium, the marching band and color guard faced alleged racist and homophobic remarks. Parents, students, and local high schoolers saw the event as a privilege and a planned celebration of camaraderie and diversity.
Paula Lieberman, mother of the ETHS color guard captain, described how her daughter and her peers encountered abuse. New Trier fans in the general admission section allegedly hurled insults, chanting phrases like “go kill yourselves” and using racist slurs. “It’s consumed me since my daughter came home Friday night,” she said. “The team was really shook up.”
Isaac Rochon, a sophomore saxophone player, reported hearing similar slurs from New Trier’s student section. Students told him to leave and issued more hateful comments. “Nobody from the band yelled back… we had to focus on the pregame,” Rochon explained. He witnessed a friend being spat on by a New Trier student. “We are continuing to fight and spread the word,” Rochon added, acknowledging this was not an isolated incident.
Jenima Lyon, parent of a senior in the band, echoed concerns. Her daughter heard the disturbing comments and felt unsupported, with “no repercussions.” Lyon noted the students were performing, lacked phones, and couldn’t record the incidents. “They were taking it really seriously,” she remarked. “It’s a shame that… the celebration was brought down by ignorant decisions.”
The superintendents of the two school districts, Marcus Campbell of Evanston Township and Peter Tragos of New Trier, issued a joint statement. They acknowledged receiving reports of the ETHS band facing abuse and expressed concern. “Our administrations are working closely together to investigate,” their statement read, urging witnesses to come forward.
Niki Dizon, New Trier’s chief communications officer, communicated via email with students, parents, and staff, shared on the school’s homepage. “Our investigation is continuing,” she stated, emphasizing non-tolerance towards discrimination. She detailed plans to work with the student Belonging Council to implement core values and heal the school community.
Jamie Deutch Noll, an ETHS alum, attended the Band Day showcase. The incident reminded her of similar behaviors during her school days. “It’s not just the school, but the parents,” she remarked, reflecting on past experiences of insensitive comments.
Raechel Alexander, a parent of a marching band percussionist, expressed outrage. She condemned the actions as “abhorrent” and stressed parental responsibility in addressing the issue. “I hope that we recognize those of us that are not targets must stand up,” Alexander stated.
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