EHHS Marching Band Is A Family Affair

The list goes on and on, and not just of the names of the 54 members of the East Haven High School Yellow Jacket Marching Band, but of the pairs of siblings that form a legacy and a bond to this special organization.

For example, there's the brother-sister team of Barbara and R.J. Popora, and sisters Brittanie and Alexis Mazzaro, all members of the band or color guard. 

As East Haven resident and self-declared band mother Michelle Petroccio pointed out, the number of siblings who have been involved with band over the years is incredible! 

"When sibling follows sibling, it's a great thing," said Petroccio, who can count her son William, who graduated this year, and daughter Olivia, a freshman, as a perfect example. 

There's even an aunt and niece pairing.

The Class IIA marching band, who have won national, regional and state awards, is directed by Matthew Laudano. 

Here's a list of the siblings (some involved today, some have graduated) in the band:

• William ('13 graduate) and Olivia (freshman) Petroccio 
• Alexis (senior drum major) and Autumn (8th grade band) Hernandez
• Barbara ('12 graduate) and R.J. (sophomore drum line) Popora
• Brittanie ('12 graduate) and Alexis (sophomore pit percussion) Mazzaro
• Emily (senior woodwinds) and Samuel (freshman trumpet) Pastor
• Sean ('13 graduate saxophone) and Gillian (8th grade flute and color guard) Manley
• Joseph ('13 graduate) and Danielle (sophomore color guard) Caruso
• Michael (senior) and Haley (freshman color guard) Jaziorkowski
• Nicholas ('13 graduate drums) and Ava (freshman color guard) Carrano
• Angie Milano (sophomore color guard) and her aunt Catherine Valesquez ('10 graduate, captain of color guard)