For Amy Ogden, a senior from Dyersburg, Tenn., Saturday is the last Homecoming she’ll spend dressed in uniform and surrounded by her fellow members of the Big Red Marching Band.

It’ll be the last Homecoming she’ll wear her traditional black headband, something that’s not only exclusive to the baritone section of the band, but also something she considers a necessary part of her uniform.

Ogden said Homecoming is one of those times of the year she looks forward to.

The Homecoming football game is an exciting time for the band, she said, especially when the crowds gets involved.

“The bigger the crowd, the more everyone gets into the game and we all enjoy it,” she said.

However, this year is different for Ogden. It will be fun to play and interact with the crowd, but it also reminds her that her career as a band member is coming to an end.

Playing in school bands has meant a lot to Odgen for the past 10 years.

Ogden has been involved with band since she was in the sixth grade. Involvement with band taught her valuable leadership skills, and has allowed her to form strong bonds with other players, she said.

She loves the performances and getting out on the field, but the thing she’ll miss most about being in band are the friends she’s made – especially those in her section.

Russellville junior Lisa Cooper is one of Ogden’s fellow section members in the Big Red Marching Band.

They met in band and became close friends, Cooper said.

Although Cooper is happy for Ogden because she is graduating, she is still sad to see her go.

“If I do (band) and she’s not doing it, it will make me real sad,” Cooper said. “She’s such a good friend of mine.”

Odgen said it is bittersweet for this to be the last year she will get to sway her horn back and forth to “Shout” at the Homecoming football game.

During the summer, Ogden spent a few weeks practicing from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. – marching, sweating and going home exhausted every night.

During the past semester, she and the rest of her band mates have spent almost every week practicing and performing a new show for each football game.

“It’s a lot of work to be in the marching band,” Odgen said. “We complain a lot during the season, but I know I’ll miss it when it’s over.”

Ogden admits she is sentimental about band, but is looking forward to being able to watch future games in the stands with the one person who almost always comes to watch her play – her fiance, Jason Hatman, a senior from Paris, Tenn.

Hatman said is he also looking forward to Odgen’s last Homecoming game in the marching band. He said he will enjoy sitting next to her in the stands, rather than watching her from a distance.

Even though Odgen won’t be seeing all of her friends at practice or at performances anymore, she isn’t worried.

“I’m sure I’ll still see them around,” she said.

Her last Homecoming may symbolize Odgen’s time in the Big Red Marching Band running out, but it also means her life as a college student is ending soon as well.

“It’ll be a lot different going to a football game and not being in the band. I’ve never done that,” she said. “Homecoming will never be the same.”

Reach Heather Ryan at diversions@chherald.com.