By: Gina Warren
Congratulations to all of our 2025 Independent World finalists! Review their productions below in order of Finals placement.
Scholastic World
1st - AVon HS (97.450)
Avon HS took the floor initially dressed in grey jumpsuits in front of a skyline backdrop behind them. Their 2025 show Raise The Roof was high energy from the very start. Outfit changes and props kept adding to the excitement throughout the show. These performers were outstanding in their musicianship and their ability to get the crowd on their feet.
2nd - Westfield HS (IN) (91.950)
Captain Westfield and the rest of Westfield HS (IN) performed a super awesome show. Their 2025 program Holding Out For A Hero took the audience right into a comic book story. Their show featured an incredible version of “I’ll Make A Man Out Of You” as our hero worked to destroy “The Evil Doctor Debbie.” This show was absolutely unforgettable.
3rd - Greenfield Central HS (90.350)
PixelEight was a unique and exciting show. The performers of Greenfield Central HS wore a pixilated uniform and they used large red and purple blocks that looked like pixels coming out of their tarp. The familiar video game sound effects gave the audience a laugh but the ensemble moments were so powerful that the audience was certainly moved.
4th - Lake Hamilton HS (88.000)
Lake Hamilton HS took the floor with half of their members dressed in green and half of their members in purple. This created extraordinary effects as the performers moved across the floor. Their musicality was as equally extraordinary and the performers were radiating energy into the crowd.
Independent World
1st - STRYKE Wynds (97.275)
STRYKE Wynds’ 2025 show entitled Breath Of Souls was a graceful yet powerful program. The show started with many impressive lifts accompanied by a beautiful flute solo. The performers looked and played very elegantly. The audience fell in love with STRYKE Wynds and left the audience absolutely exhilarated.
2Nd - Vaquero Winds (94.200)
It was very difficult not to get teary eyed during Vaquero Winds’ 2025 program Twice As Perfect. The show was an inspiring message about being proud of identity. The performers showcased their ability to play a diverse musical repertoire. The show included songs from artists such as Aaron Copeland, Kendrick Lamar, and Frank Sinatra.
3rd - Horizon Winds (90.850)
Horizon Winds’ 2025 show, Song Of The Open Road opened with a gorgeous solo of “Take Me Home, Country Roads” while the group moved around the floor as if they were riding motorcycles. There was also a very exciting electric guitar solo that the crowd loved.
4th - Legacy (89.475)
Legacy’s 2025 program entitled Unstoppable was stellar. Their tarp’s design featured a galaxy with several mathematical equations written around the tarp. Their drill sets have many nods to mathematics, such as an infinity sign. Legacy performed their show with loads of power and grace and they truly proved themselves to be unstoppable.
5th - LSM Winds (87.700)
LSM taught the crowd the history of the city of Detroit. Their backdrops started as vintage photographs of Detroit but by the end they had turned to iconic images of sports teams from the city and there were plenty of references that only a Detroit resident would understand. It’s clear that the members put their soul into this homage to the iconic city from their home state.
