Eastside began playing varsity football on Sept. 6, 1996 and the high school's inaugural drum major was a sophomore Lori Johnson.

Johnson served two years as drum major and then realizing she wanted to be a band director. She thought she should get some experience marching on the field, so her senior year, she marched sousaphone.

Johnson graduated from Georgia College, is in her 10th year as a middle school band director in the Macon area, and a few years ago married another band director Tim Pietrofere.

This summer when Mr. Pietrofere was named Director of Bands at Jackson High School, EHS Band Director Alan Fowler had the idea to invite Johnson, as the First Lady of The Red Regiment and to conduct the national anthem as part of the pregame at the Eastside-Jackson football game.

"Having her on the podium and her parents, original Eastside band parents Kathy and Sam Johnson, in the stands was extremely special," said Fowler. "Sixteen years after that first game, having Johnson on the podium was pretty neat and I do think the current members of The Pride of Eastside understand how special it was."