Ariel Woods, a senior at Jackson State University, has become the first female drum major for the Sonic Boom of the South since 2017. Known affectionately as “Her,” Woods was selected to join the prestigious group of five drum majors known as the “Jackson Five” for the upcoming 2024-2025 academic year.
“Everything kind of just started happening in slow motion,” Woods told WAPT 16, reflecting on her historic achievement. “Everybody started coming and started cheering me on and was just really excited that I was going to be the next drum major.”
Woods is the fourth woman in JSU’s history to lead the Sonic Boom. She found videos of the band on YouTube seven years ago, but getting to this full-circle moment was not easy. The Dallas native faced challenges during her first audition, where she failed. “This is my second time trying out to be a drum major, so it’s nothing short of an honor,” she explained. “It’s nothing short of a blessing being placed in this position as a woman. I just know how prestigious this is. It’s not something that I really can just put into words.” (READ MORE)
