While many students are enjoying summer break, two members of the Paris ISD family are spending theirs performing on some of the nation's biggest stages as members of one of the country's premier drum and bugle corps.

Paris High School student Gage Plata, a member of the Class of 2028, and 2026 Paris High School graduate Chloe Easton are both performing with The Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps, one of the elite ensembles competing in Drum Corps International (DCI). Plata performs on baritone, while Easton performs on the synthesizer, joining talented musicians from across the country in a demanding summer tour that showcases the highest level of marching music performance.

Before beginning the national tour, Plata, Easton, and their fellow performers spent 40 days at Bethel College in Newton, Kansas, where they rehearsed up to 12 hours each day preparing this year's production. The intensive training focused on developing the musical precision, marching technique, endurance, and teamwork required to compete at the world-class level.

The Crossmen officially begin their competitive season on July 8 in Ankeny, Iowa. Throughout the summer, the corps will travel thousands of miles, performing in Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana. Their Texas performances include stops in Houston, San Antonio, and McKinney before concluding the season at the Drum Corps International World Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana.

During the tour, The Crossmen will compete against 21 other World Class drum corps from across North America in one of the most prestigious marching music competitions in the world.

"Being selected to perform with a Drum Corps International World Class corps is an incredible accomplishment," said PHS Band Director Bryan Ewing. "The level of commitment, discipline, and perseverance required is extraordinary. We are incredibly proud of both Gage and Chloe for representing Paris High School and Wildcat Nation on a national stage. We wish them continued success throughout the summer season."

Paris ISD congratulates Gage Plata and Chloe Easton on this outstanding achievement and looks forward to following their journey as they perform with The Crossmen throughout the 2026 Drum Corps International season.