NICEVILLE, FLORIDA - Little April Ward sat breathless in a tall oak tree, as the big drums vibrated. Back in the 60’s, she was barely six years old, lived in Niceville, and had three beloved brothers.

"We knew we were important because the band came down our street to practice. They’d march down Palm, turn down 23rd, then go down Hickory, and swing back around to King Street."

All she could think, was, "My band’s coming!" Her young heart beat in sync with the drums. "You’re just fascinated. It doesn’t matter that you’re little; you’re part of something big," said Ward. "I thought, ‘They’re coming down my street, it’s my band,

 and they’re playing just for me.’"

Some Niceville High School band students would surreptitiously smile her way, as she perched, fascinated, in the tree.

Many Twin Cities residents hold special memories of the band, which has given decades of stunning performances, but it is rare to see someone give back to the Eagle Pride in the way Ward does. Through significant fundraisers, she’s honoring the band’s excellence in memory of her family, which has deep roots in Niceville.

"My grandmother, Nellie McCullough, now 93 years old, and an original settler of this area, was here when John Sims was nothing but ruts and dirt road. Grandpa Harold hand-delivered milk!"

Of Ward’s three brothers, John, Hal, and Jeff, two wanted to play in the Niceville band. John, the youngest, was in the flag corps. "He did rifles." Hal, the oldest, played trumpet with the Ruckel Rams, but didn’t get to finish his ninth-grade year, for he died of cancer one month and one day after his fourteenth birthday. And then a car crash took John. "He had just turned 21." Jeff, who graduated in ’78, and is a pastor at New Life Family Church, a non-denominational fellowship in Marianna, is precious to her.

An ’80 NHS alum, Ward once thought she’d be a missionary in Zimbabwe, but decided to teach second grade instead, after majoring in elementary education at William Carey College in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. She switched gears, and worked at Hardee’s for 12 years before becoming a successful travel agent.

To support the band, she works through the business she founded, DreamProudly Travel, to secure vacation tickets for luxury cruises to the Bahamas, trips to Las Vegas, and other destinations. She’s donated the vacation tickets and travel packages for every 50/50 fundraiser drawing at the Niceville High School football games this year. In addition, she has chaired a fundraiser, Designer Fragrances.

For every bottle sold, students earn $6 toward their band account. The company that provides the fragrances also supports a worthy cause. "Over and above what they’re giving to the band, they’re donating a dollar to cancer research." Ward also lost her mother to cancer.

Betty and Gary Ward, her parents, were strong members of the First Baptist Church, and if they were still living, would be proud of the way Ward is honoring their family’s memory, said longtime friend Melinda Parks. "She’s got a big heart and puts herself into whatever cause is near and dear to her." Candid and upfront, "if she’s your friend, she’s always your friend."

Ward has no children in the band, but she’s going to California to watch the Eagle Pride march on New Year’s Day in Pasadena, in the world-class Tournament of Roses Parade.

Tammy McCown, NHS Band Boosters Ways and Means chair, said Ward is classic "good ol’ Niceville folk."