Rose Parade President visits Clover to celebrate CHS Band

CLOVER, SC - Clover High School’s band has been selected to perform in the 2026 Rose Parade, making history as the 7th band from South Carolina to be part of the event in 137 years. Out of 60 bands invited, Clover is one of only 10 chosen to participate.
To celebrate this achievement, Mark Leavens, the president of the Roses Association, visited Clover High School. Leavens has been volunteering with the association for 30 years, working on everything from floats and horses to marching bands and even the Rose Bowl football game. He shared with students that high school bands are the “heart and soul of the parade,” and expressed how excited he is for Clover’s band to be part of the upcoming event.
The theme for the 2026 Rose Parade is “The Magic in Teamwork,” which emphasizes the importance of collaboration. Leavens explained that the theme reflects the work required to bring such a large event together, with so many different people and organizations involved.
Leavens’ involvement with the Rose Parade began simply as a volunteer looking to help out, but over the years, he took on more responsibilities and became deeply committed to the event. Now, as president, he travels across the country to help high schools fundraise and make the process of attending the parade as easy as possible.
One of the biggest challenges Leavens and the Roses Association have faced in recent years has been the impact of the California wildfires. Many volunteers lost their homes, businesses, and vehicles in the fires. Leavens and his team have worked hard to support these individuals and help them rebuild after the disaster.
As Clover High School’s band prepares for its performance in the 2026 Rose Parade, Mark Leavens’ leadership and dedication continue to make a difference in the success of the event and in the lives of the many people involved.