As the Rockies have fallen to the bottom of the standings of MLB teams this year, and are possibly the worst MLB team of all time, they do still present opportunities for high schools.

This year, “The Strings” orchestral ensemble, made up of Spartan students and led by orchestra teacher Mr. Thomas Nugent, played at the Rockies vs. Dodgers game on August 21.

Nugent said, “It is an honor to play the national anthem at a professional sporting event. These are people who are masters of their craft, so to have the opportunity for us to play is an honor.”

Suppose you have ever been to a professional sporting event. In that case, it is a very important time when the national anthem is played, and to represent your school while performing is an honor for those students who perform, and it represents Greeley West in a great way.

Pedro Vargos Pena is a freshman who played viola for the performance. Vargos Pena said, “Of course I was nervous, performing in front of thousands of people can be very nerve-racking, but I was instantly relieved once it was all over.”

For Vargos Pena, the opportunity also gave him a chance to see his favorite team player. “I feel great playing with a group of people who have similar interests to me. Also, being a Dodgers fan, it felt very good seeing the Rockies get beat,” Vargos Pena said. 

Alaina Schell, a senior who plays violin, said, “I had varying emotions going into it since we did it last year, but it was definitely more nerve-racking this year since I was first chair.