Hirsch, a senior member of the Class of 2011, was making sure the band was ready for director Emily Cox, who was inside taking care of a few last-minute details. Both Hirsch and Cox know they have a lot of work to do to prepare this band to be ready to follow in the very precise footsteps of last year's award-winning band.

"We have a young band," Cox explained. "We have a lot to learn because there are only six upperclassmen in the entire band. But because we're young, the students know they can't be complacent. They know they have to work hard to get back to the level we're used to around here. And that's a good thing."

The band is one of the student groups already hard at work preparing for the school year and the competitions that will kick off in a matter of weeks. While most high school students are still sleeping in and staying up late, enjoying the lazy days of summer, dedicated musicians and athletes are working up a sweat to be sure Gobles High School is back in championship form once the school year starts.

Last year's marching band season was quite successful, with the Gobles High School band placing as the top Class C/D band in Southwest Michigan in most competitions, winning numerous captions for drum line, color guard, music, and overall excellence. The camp was the second week of band camp this summer for members of the drum line, who had a week-long percussion camp in July. All band members have participated in sectional rehearsals this summer, practicing music and marching fundamentals.

Inside the gym Gobles' athletic trainer Gretchen Mohny was working with members of the high school volleyball teams to prepare for the physical demands of the upcoming volleyball season. Mohny explained to the girls the importance of physical training now.

"If you do the exercises like you have been trained, you'll build up muscles to prevent injury during the season," she said. "Being competitive and winning championships starts with the right physical and mental approach."

When asked why she was willing to give up some of her summer free time for training, senior leader and volleyball standout Melina Dekilder explained that the desire to compete brings her up to the gym to prepare for the season."I want to win the SAC, and so do my teammates," Dekilder explained. "So we show up with smiles on our faces, ready to work hard. All of this training helps us, and we know have to do the extra work if we want to come out on top during the season."

Football and soccer players, cheerleaders, runners, and coaches are putting in extra hours right now, lifting weights and conditioning, getting together in small groups to make sure they are in condition for the official MHSAA start of practices in mid-August. Some groups are even competing. The varsity football team recently competed in the second annual Gobles Football 7-on-7 passing competition, finishing the tournament with a 5-1 record, the only loss a 26-23 setback to the Class B squad from Holland High School.

"We're young and small, but fast," assistant coach Adam Osmun explained. "We really like what we see from these kids. There is a real "we" approach this season, and that's a major part of the winning attitude. The kids have been in the weight room, doing the things we've asked them to do, even though most of them have other commitments all summer. They want to be ready for the season. We really like where this group is headed, based on the work they have put in this summer."