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West Rowan Middle wins silver rating at band competition amid treasurer embezzling $14K

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — West Rowan Middle School's band, who had money for a big competition stolen, returned from the competition with a top performance.

The group received a silver rating at a performance Saturday in Williamsburg, Virginia.

The school nearly canceled the trip after police told Channel 9 the band's booster treasurer stole around $14,000 in February.

The funds were meant to pay for the Williamsburg performance.

The band raised enough to go to the competition after the organizer matched donated funds. The band raised more than $30,000.

“I am so proud of our students,” said band director Nathan Bowman. “We would like to thank our community who stepped up and help us when we needed it.”