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WASHINGTON COUNTY, Utah \u2014<\/em> Dozens of high school marching bands are in Washington City, Utah, for a big competition.<\/p>\n After a general competition Friday, many of them battled it out with the Bands of America<\/a> on Saturday. Westlake High School is one of the schools that moved on to the finals.<\/p>\n Westlake has a special band member in an important role this weekend, Jameson Jones, a senior in the life skills program at Westlake.<\/p>\n This is Jones\u2019s third and final year with the marching band, and Saturday night, he is the conductor. But for the students in the marching band, he\u2019s much more than that. He\u2019s their friend with a contagious love of music.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s just such a positive personality,\u201d said Randy Brady, Director of Bands at Westlake High School.<\/p>\n Three years ago, Jones\u2019 mother, Cindy, approached him and asked if her son could join the marching band. Brady said it was a no-brainer.<\/p>\n He grew up with friends with special needs and loved the perspective and friendship they brought to his life. He wanted the same things for all of his students.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been really awesome to watch the kids in the band interact with him and to be really protective of him in many cases,\u201d Brady explained.<\/p>\n Jameson\u2019s mother, Cindy, says her son \u201clives in the moment\u201d and always talks about marching band.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s an honorary drum major right now,\u201d Jones said. \u201cThey\u2019ve got him on a little podium right in front of the 50-year line, and he is in heaven.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s not a charity case. Brady says the senior from the life skills class is talented.<\/p>\n \u201cYou should watch him conduct, we get into our ballad and he\u2019s like shaping the music,\u201d Brady expressed. \u201cHe\u2019s incredible.\u201d<\/p>\n The students competed against nearly three dozen other schools as part of the \u201cBands of America\u201d program. They edged out the competition to move on to the finals.<\/p>\n Westlake High School will compete on Saturday night at 9:30 p.m. for the chance to win the regional award. You can check Westlake High School\u2019s Facebook page for more information.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n