High school marching bands can be the highlight of any Mardi Gras parade.

The booming bass drums push the crowd back from the curb while the blare of the brass reverberates off the old oak trees. The resonant hoots of the tuba line keep syncopated time as the dancers in front of the band swirl colorful flags and clack the heels of their white boots down the length of St. Charles Avenue.

Far from Bourbon Street, marching bands are the thundering heartbeat of Mardi Gras.

For the studen...