The Biloxi High School Band, which will be performing its award-winning competition show at tonight's homecoming game and tomorrow in the 44th annual Gulf Coast Marching Band Competition, is already on Cloud 9.

That's because band members scored a Superior rating in all categories – Band, Percussion, Color Guard and Drum Major – during the festival portions of the Gold Medal Classic marching band competition last weekend at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in Perkinston.

"Oh man, it was great. Those kids floated all the way home," Travis Coakley, director of bands at Biloxi High, says of the award-winning performances. "This was the first time that we'd received that placement, and it was all due to great kids working hard. You couldn't do it without that."

For the record, Coakley reported, in the evening technical score competition at Perkinston, the Biloxi squad placed first overall in Music, first overall in Percussion, fourth overall in Color Guard, and second place overall, with a score of 89.9.

This evening, the band will perform its "enlightened" show, which features music from the "Angels and Demons" soundtrack and Pachelbel's Canon.

Said Coakley: "The music fits the kids. I thought they would really enjoy it, and they have."

Tonight's performance actually begins at 6:30, when the band will perform during pre-game homecoming ceremonies. Kickoff for the game against St. Martin begins at 7 p.m. Incidentally, those interested in seeing the Biloxi band perform Saturday should be at Milner Stadium in Gulfport no later than 11:30 a.m. The band performs at 11:48 a.m.

See the photos: To see a dozen photos from the band's Superior performance last weekend, click here.

More about tonight's game: This evening's homecoming game is also Jeff Davis Elementary Night. All students at Jeff Davis Elementary will be given a ticket to the game, which will allow them to enter for free, with a paying adult.

Can't attend? Follow online: You can listen to tonight's game either online or on the air. To see how – plus to find photos and more information on the Biloxi Indians -- click here.

A host of Biloxi drama students performed Broadway numbers Wednesday for the city's record-breaking Downtown Biloxi Block Party for Cruisin' the Coast.

Among the tunes performed during the group's sets were "You Can't Stop the Beat" from the musical "Hairspray," "Greased Lightning," "Born to Hand Jive," and "We Go Together" from the popular '50's musical "Grease"; and the Elvis Presley standard, "All Shook Up."

This year's block party, which featured entertainment stages at City Hall and on the Town Green, attracted 4,000 cars and thousands of spectators.

Olivia Dunwoody, who oversees the Biloxi High Theater Department and the Biloxi Band Color Guard, said the students who performed were:

Jacky Fontenot, Jeremy Trippe, Monica Wahl, Bobby Scott, Jennifer Curtis, Gabrielle Cox, Reena Rabe, Amber Goodwin, Becca Watts, Madeleine Monson, Deon Evans, Rebecca Russell, Yssa McKaig, Samantha Seward, Ian Kass, Micaela Kistmayer, Hanna Ainsworth, Cheyenne Bailey, Zach Quinn, and Callie Anglada.

The National Society of High School Scholars has announced that Biloxi High School student Reagan Norwood has been selected for membership.

The society recognizes top scholars and invites only those students who have achieved academic excellence. The announcement was made by Society Founder and Chairman Claes Nobel, a senior member of the family that established the Nobel Prizes.

"I am honored to recognize the hard work, sacrifice, and commitment that Reagan has demonstrated to achieve this level of academic excellence," Nobel said. "Reagan is now a member of a unique community of scholars - a community that represents our very best hope for the future."

Said Society President James Lewis: "Our vision is to build a dynamic international organization that connects members with meaningful content, resources, and opportunities. We aim to help students like Reagan build on their academic successes and enhance the skills and desires to have a positive impact on the global community."

Membership in the society entitles qualified students to enjoy a wide variety of benefits, including scholarship opportunities, academic competitions, free events, member-only resources, publications, participation in programs offered by educational partners, online forums, personalized recognition items, and publicity honors.

Formed in 2002, The National Society of High School Scholars recognizes academic excellence at the high school level and encourages members of the organization to apply their unique talents, vision, and potential for the betterment of themselves and the world. Currently, there are more than 530,000 society members in more than 160 countries.

For more information about NSHSS, visit www.nshss.org.