Okeechobee High School Brahman Band

08/21/2026

Luis Rivera, 24, of Okeechobee, Florida, passed away unexpectedly on August 17, 2026. Luis was a lifelong resident of Okeechobee.

He is survived by his mother, Sandra Angelica Ortega Gutierrez; his brother, Edgar Mirsha Rivera, Edgar’s wife Andrea Leon, their children Edgar, Dalilah and Caleb; and his brother, Uriel Rivera.

Luis's family extended far beyond those connected by blood. He was blessed with a family he found, built, and loved deeply. His adoptive family, Denise Whitehead, Makaya Purvis (Whitehead), Tommy Purvis, and Cheryl Worlow, were an important and deeply loved part of his life. They loved Luis as their own, and he loved them as family.

Luis's Band Family was another enormous part of his life. As an alumnus of the Okeechobee High School band program and later a percussion instructor, he poured his heart into his students, the marching band, percussion, and color guard. He loved teaching and watching students grow. To countless students, Luis was a mentor and encourager who believed in them and helped them believe in themselves.

His Band Family included Clint and Courtney LaFlam and their children, Cadence and Cooper; Chris and Jenny Bowen and their children, William and Jameson; Katie and Toby Doyle; Jasmine Futch; and so many others who loved Luis as one of their own.

Luis also found family in his Wawa coworkers, where he became a mentor and coach to countless employees. Among his closest friends were Hannah Harper, Ashley Travieso, Irina Segur, and his boyfriend, Fabian Gomez, along with countless others who became more like family than friends.

Luis loved spending time with his friends, making people laugh, giving the biggest hugs, teaching percussion, supporting the marching band and color guard, and simply being around the people he loved. He was goofy, outgoing, and unapologetically himself, with a huge personality and an even bigger heart.

Most of all, people will remember Luis's smile. His huge smile could brighten an entire room. He was a shining light to those around him, full of love, caring, compassion, and an ability to truly listen. When someone needed encouragement, Luis gave it. When someone needed to talk, he listened. He had a way of making people feel seen, valued, and loved.

Luis leaves behind family, friends, students, coworkers, and a community who will feel his absence deeply, but he also leaves behind countless memories, laughter, lessons, and love.

Luis Rivera was deeply loved and will be deeply missed. His light will continue through the people he loved, the students he inspired, and the many lives he touched.

A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday, September 4, 2026 at More 2 Life.

Those wishing to leave a message of condolence may sign the register book at, www.OkeechobeeFuneralHome.com

All arrangements are entrusted to the direction and care of the Buxton Okeechobee Funeral Home, 400 North Parrott Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida, 34972.

08/18/2026

Today, our band family is carrying a heartbreak that is difficult to put into words.

Luis was so much more than a percussion instructor. He was an alumni of our band program, a mentor, a friend, and someone who poured his heart into the students and the program he loved.

If you knew Luis, you knew his smile. You knew his energy. You knew the way he could light up a room and make people feel encouraged just by being there. He was always excited to see the students, excited about their progress, excited about this year’s show, and excited to be part of the band family.

He believed in these students. He celebrated them. He pushed them to be better while making sure they knew they were capable of so much more than they sometimes believed themselves to be.
Luis leaves behind a space in our band family that cannot simply be filled. But he also leaves us with something that can never be taken away: the joy, encouragement, passion, and love he gave so freely to everyone around him.

As we move forward, we will carry Luis with us in every rehearsal, every performance, every laugh, every high-five, and every moment when a student finds the confidence to believe in themselves.

We will remember his smile.
We will remember his passion.
We will remember how excited he was about his students and this band.
And we will remember how much he loved being part of it all.

This year, we will play for Luis. We will perform for Luis. We will carry his spirit with us.

And we will Love Like Luis. ❤️🥁

Rest easy, Luis. You will always be part of this band family.

07/30/2026

Band Camp is wrapping up, and what an incredible week it has been! 💜💛

The amount of growth we’ve seen in just a few short days has been nothing short of amazing. Every rehearsal, every rep, every drop of sweat has helped build something special. This group is performing at a level we haven’t seen this early in the season, but even more impressive is the culture they’re creating.

Our band family is stronger than ever. Students are encouraging one another, celebrating successes, pushing through challenges together, and showing what it truly means to be part of something bigger than themselves. That spirit is what will carry them through the season.

Mr. LaFlam and the entire instructional staff couldn’t be more proud of the commitment, resilience, and positive attitude these students have brought to camp each day. The excitement is contagious, and this is only the beginning.

Thank you to our families for supporting these long, hot days and to Osceola Middle School for graciously hosting us while construction continues on our new high school.

We can’t wait to share this year’s show with our community. The foundation has been built. Now it’s time to keep climbing.

07/28/2026

Band Camp is under way, and these students are already making incredible progress! 💜💛

From the first set to the final note of the day, our students have been working hard, pushing through the Florida heat, learning new music, cleaning drill, and building the foundation for what promises to be an amazing season.

A huge THANK YOU to Osceola Middle School for graciously opening your campus to us while construction on the new Okeechobee High School continues. Your hospitality has allowed our students to focus on what they do best: working together, encouraging one another, and growing every single day.

The season is just getting started, and we can’t wait to share the journey with all of you. Keep cheering on these hardworking students. They’re creating something special! 💜💛

06/14/2026

Huge gratitude to everyone who joined our fundraiser yesterday! 16 Band leadership students delivered outstanding service alongside the amazing team at Applebee's Grill + Bar (Okeechobee, FL), led by Brandy Galloway . This marked the first time all 16 students had taken part in this event, making it a truly special experience. It was an incredible opportunity for skill-building at various levels. We're thrilled about this fundraiser because it allows us to connect with our community's wonderful supporters. Here are some photos from the event, though we wish we had captured every moment and student . Thank you so much 🙏 Applebee's Grill + Bar Brandy Galloway

06/06/2026

You can still purchase a ticket at the door ! Next Saturday June 13 , we can’t wait to see your smiling faces 🥳

Join us for breakfast on June 13, 2026 from 8am-10am to support the OHS Brahman Band!!! Tickets are only $12 and can be purchased from any band member or at the door. This is a great way to show your support for the band program!

05/24/2026

05/14/2026

Join us for breakfast on June 13, 2026 from 8am-10am to support the OHS Brahman Band!!! Tickets are only $12 and can be purchased from any band member or at the door. This is a great way to show your support for the band program!

05/13/2026

Senior Dinner 2026! 💜🎶🎓

05/13/2026

Band Awards