The Lehighton Area High School Band performed an impassioned and extra-special send off for one of their most prized educators, English teacher Cristi Marchetti, on Friday afternoon.

Marchetti, who will be heading to Belfast, Northern Ireland next week as part of her Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program, was overjoyed to see the band trek through the hallways, saluting her with the school's fight song."As soon as I knew when she was leaving - and I know how much she loves what we do - we said, 'We've got to do something for her.' So a couple weeks ago, Jennifer Steigerwalt, who is another English teacher, emailed me and said 'Hey, let's put this whole parade together. We'll have Cristi right up front leading the whole thing, and send her off with an exciting moment,'" music teacher Bryan Buffington said.Buffington and Marchetti have been good friends since their start at the school in 2002."I admire the family he has created with the band. The spirit that they have together is something they will carry on throughout their lives. They have a motto, 'We do not walk alone,' and it's true. They are a very cohesive group. I love the music of the band, but it's the spirit of the kids that really resonates with me," Marchetti said.As a strong supporter of extracurricular activities, Buffington knew that the band had to do something special to commemorate Marchetti's achievement."They love Mrs. Marchetti," he said. "I don't know of many students that don't love Mrs. Marchetti, so for them to do something for her and to send her off like that, they were thrilled to be a part of it. They were very, very excited."Along for the ride at the lead of the parade was Marchetti's seven year old daughter Vivian, who will accompany her to Northern Ireland."I was very surprised," Vivian said in regard to her mother - who she is very proud of - winning the award.While members of the band are sad to see their beloved admirer leave Lehighton for a semester, they were incredibly supportive of her project."She really deserves it, and I'm happy because I think we did a good job," saxophonist Samantha Smalley, 16, said.The sounds of the school fight song reached nearly every corner of the school as the band toured the halls for a few laps, basking in the opportunity to honor a proud Lehighton educator."I was very proud of it, because she is one of the people in this high school who actually deserve it," bass drummer Alexander Keck, 17, said. "It put a smile on her face, and that made me feel great about it."Sponsored by the U.S. government, the Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program allows teachers to pursue special projects, conduct research, and teach classes abroad. It is one portion of Fulbright's options that aim to increase mutual understanding between American and foreign citizens.Marchetti's research at Queens University will focus on the philosophy behind full service extended schools, which make schools the center of the community through services for students and the population at large.Marchetti will remain in touch with friends, family, and students through her blog,

http://cristimarchetti.blogspot.com, hoping to weave in the wants and needs of the local community with her research on full service education."I really do understand the sacrifice of time and energy that it takes, and it's beautiful and heartfelt and it means the world to me," Marchetti said of the band's performance."This is the place that I choose to be, and it's because of all of the people here. This band - nothing compares."