West Milford — West Milford Township High School graduate Graham Padley performed alongside Justin Timberlake in the 52nd Super Bowl held in Minneapolis Feb. 4.
Padley, of the class of 2016, relocated to Minnesota shortly after graduation and in September. He joined the marching band and began attending classes at the University of Minnesota.
A trumpet player for West Milford’s Highlander Marching Band and Jazz Ensemble, he is now one of 70 trumpeters and more than 300 members of “The Pride of Minnesota” as the university marching band is known.
In the two weeks leading up to the Super Bowl, the band rehearsed more than 60 hours, often late into the evening after classes at the university.
One rehearsal fell on Timberlake’s birthday, so the marching band played “Happy Birthday” for JT while his wife and son watched and listened.
Padley, an Eagle Scout formerly with Troop 146 of Hewitt, credits his Highlander Marching Band and Jazz Ensemble experience with providing the discipline and attitude to perform in front of 67,000 attendees at US Bank Stadium. More than 103.4 million people watched the televised performance.