by David Day | Innovation Center Director
When the Pryor High School Band approached our Capstone students with a vision to elevate their halftime show, they knew it would take some engineering magic. The goal? Transform briefcases into high-tech, glowing props featured prominently on the field.
The band boosters provided the funding for raw materials, and our Capstone students went straight to work. Combining innovation, hands-on engineering, and technical skill, the team set out to build custom briefcases powered by Arduinos, bright LED lights, rechargeable batteries, and custom 3D-printed components.
As with any real-world engineering project, the path to the final product wasn't without its hurdles. The students hit several technical roadblocks along the way: tricky wiring configurations that required careful troubleshooting, unexpected 3D print failures, and last-minute design revisions to ensure structural durability and visual impact under stadium lights.
Knowing the high-stakes schedule ahead, the Capstone team managed expectations early. They committed to delivering 8 fully functional briefcases in time for Friday night's Homecoming performance and the band's first official competition the very next day. However, in true Capstone fashion, the team worked through the challenges, refined their process, and ultimately under-promised and over-delivered.
When Friday arrived, the team delivered not just 8, but 18 fully functional, illuminated briefcases—complete with bright, glowing green LED dollar signs shining brilliantly across the field!
Big Wins at the Oologah Contest
The glowing props added an incredible visual punch to the performance, setting the stage for an unforgettable competition weekend. Congratulations to the Pride of Pryor for dodging the rain and coming away with a huge haul of awards at the Oologah Stallion Battalion Marching Contest on Saturday!
Fan Favorite!
Class 5A:
1st Place Band
1st Place Percussion
1st Place Drum Major
2nd Place Colorguard
4th Place Overall
Congratulations to our Capstone students for their grit, problem-solving, and dedication, and to the entire Pride of Pryor for an outstanding performance! Up next: the Bixby Contest next week. GO PRIDE!!