"It was kind of a trying time because at the time (Lakewood was) up for a school levy, and it was kind of rumored if that didn't pass we wouldn't have a marching band that fall," he said.

When he was accepted at Ohio State, Halter joined D-Row, the training program for potential drum majors. He was promoted to assistant drum major last school year and triumphed at tryouts this week to become drum major.

The typical routine of a drum major, Halter said, is to enter the field and strut through the band, do a backbend at the 35-yard line and strut down the field. The drum major blows whistles that help time the band's maneuvers and also leads the trademark "Script Ohio" on the field.

The drum major also is responsible for calling the band to attention during halftime and adding his or her own flair to the halftime show.

"At halftime, I'm kind of in addition to the band," he said. "You can have a marching band without a drum major, but you can't have a drum major without a marching band."

For Tuesday's tryout, Halter and the three other competitors were required to demonstrate a ramp entrance, twirling routine and a series of high tosses.

After each person was judged in each category, the judges conferred for "it felt like forever, but probably about 20 or 25 minutes," Halter said. They then announced the winner on the spot.

"As soon as (marching band head director) Dr. Woods said my name, it was a feeling of relief," he said. "It's something that I've dreamt about, literally. You think about his voice calling your name for that head drum-major spot."

Halter said he couldn't have done it without encouragement from his friends and family at home, and also his former Lakewood band director Scott Coffey, who he said helped him along in his path to achieving the drum-major title.

Halter's mother, Kim Halter, said she and her husband, Mike, were relieved and proud of their son.

"It's a combination of relief ... and excitement and joy, too," she said.