The 13 section leaders in the Howard University Showtime Marching Band are charged with delivering the sound, energy, and tradition that make Showtime an unforgettable part of game day as the Bison football team faces Florida A&M University in the Invesco QQQ Orange Blossom Classic in Miami Gardens on August 30. Mechanical engineering senior Jacob Clayton runs the snares and is the section leader of the drum line, making him like the final boss when it comes to every beat. “The drum line is the heartbeat of the band. We keep the tempo. When we speed up, the band speeds up; when we slow down, the band slows down. They can’t operate without us. We can’t operate without them,” Clayton said. Ooh La La Dance Line captain for 2025-26 Jayla Ayoung wants more people to understand the commitment required to be part of the Showtime Band. “They just see the performance, but they don’t know how much really goes into it—how much time, how much effort, the blood, sweat and tears that go into...