The two families have already established a significant friendship built on the foundation of a common interest and commitment to music. Ousey’s travel buddy is also one of the ten South Carolinians heading to Pasadena.

Ousey began his musical career in the sixth grade in an Augusta, GA middle school. At the time, he enjoyed the band but didn’t have a real passion for his instrument. That all changed the next year when he moved to Columbia and entered the music program at Summit Parkway Middle School. According to Ousey, Band Director David Allison and his advanced program took Ousey’s spark of interest in the clarinet and kindled it into a very large flame.

Ousey was one of a select group of musicians chosen to play in the Ridge View Band as an 8th grader and received an award dubbed “super freshman” for the most outstanding eighth grader that year. Ridge View Band Director Vince Clayton describes Ousey, a two–year veteran of the All–State Band, as an exceptionally talented tenth grader who excels in and out of the classroom.

In addition to his musical accomplishments, Ousey has been recognized for his efforts in journalism and is a member of Who’s Who Among American Students.

Ousey will meet the other honor band members for the first time just five days before the parade. In that brief time, George N. Parks, director of the famed University of Massachusetts Minutemen Marching Band and the country’s foremost authority on drum major training, will be responsible for preparing the group. Parks will provide band members with invaluable knowledge and will make sure they become a cohesive performing unit. During that week, they will learn the parade route, prepare material for the Tournament of Roses BandFest, and connect with other musicians to build lifelong friendships.

Honor band members will wear a standard uniform and will not be easily distinguished by their home band colors as in many parades. Ousey says he is proud to represent his school and his state, but has no problem wearing a standard issue uniform because he knows this is a once in a lifetime experience that he will always remember.