Local College students play their way to a New Years Bowl

Several recent Oak Harbor High School graduates will be celebrating New Years day by marching in a nationally televised parade and then performing halftime shows for millions of people.

Allison Bast and Brian Winters, both 2009 graduates, will be playing for the University of Cincinnati Bearcat's band in the Sugar Bowl.

Allison had 10 seconds of fame earlier this year when she was captured on a close up shot during the televised Cincinnati vs UConn pregame performance.

Allison was first made aware of her fortune by former classmate Halie Bergman sending a text message, "Saw you on TV. You play that horn girl!"

According to Allison, "It is disappointing not to be able to spend my winter break with family and friends, however, I love cheering the Bearcats on to victory!"

Clay Finken, a 2007 graduate, will be playing for the Ohio State University Buckeye's band in the Rose Bowl.

These young musicians invest hours of rehearsal time each week in perfecting their band's performances.

Mr. Finken states, "For a 12 noon football game, the band's check in time is 6:00am. We rehearse for two hours, review tapes of previous performances, eat lunch, and head for the skull session.

It's a lot of work at times, but its all worth it when you take the field." In addition to the extra hours before a game, these students rehearse 6 to 10 hours a week, 3 to 5 days a week.

Tune into the parades and football games this New Years day and you might just see one of our local celebrities!