Behind the eyes of a dedicated band student, lays a fierce competitor from within. Eyes on the prize, that band student put in hours of constant rehearsing for one true goal…to excel in any opportunity given. However, there is one important lesson that the band student is taught that is useful for our lifetime goals; to always put one hundred percent in everything he/she does. An extracurricular activity is usually seen as just to keep the student busy. There’s more to it than it may seem.
I am involved in many activities in an out of school. I keep myself busy at school by participating in the H.O.P.E. Medical Academy, where They help me strive to my career and the future I dream to have, In Key Club, where I can give back to my community, I go to Teen Court, where I can restore peace and bring back justice to this world, and my favorite and I personally think is the most important, Marching band. Marching band is more that a group of people who play instruments, it’s a family. The bonds we create during the season last forever.
The “big brother” of JROTC offers college scholarships to those who qualify. Membership in JROTC is a perfect start for this. As a member of JROTC one can expect to gain a great deal of self confidence that will become a building block for future accomplishments throughout their life. The programming is geared to build a team of students that work together to overcome difficult challenges and by doing so build their individual confidence as well as team confidence to face any challenge. Camaraderie is further enhanced throughout the program as students wear uniforms at least once a week to display their unit pride.
Today I’ll be talking about the Santa Clara Vanguard, one of many Drum and Bugle Corps from around the world that compete annually at the DCI World Championships. They are a world renowned organization and an integral part of the musical education and strong supporter of the arts in the bay area. Budget-cuts in public schools create a void that organizations like SCV and similar organizations fill. They are essential to students for musical education and the completion of extracurricular activity requirements that attract members from all over the world including Belgium, UK, Japan and Taiwan. The Vanguard has a rich history of educating young people, not only about music and the arts, but about life-long lessons and values.
The experience that has given me the biggest sense of ‘Firebird Pride’ is my time in National Honor Society. I truly enjoy giving back to the community and school that has given me so much. Through working with students my own age to senior citizens to citizens of Dayton in homeless shelters, I have realized how blessed I am to have all of the opportunities that have arisen during my high school career. I am a stronger leader, a better community member, and a more patient and understanding person because of the service I have provided throughout my time in NHS. Through the tutoring hours put into this group, I have formed bonds with students I never would have otherwise been around and the relationships with these kids and their parents have made me feel like I have had my own impact on the community.
With the increasing number of fans that tune in to watch NFL games every week, it is no surprise that athletes like Lewis are looked to in a special way by those that admire them, and the fact that most Lewis and other friends in the league choose to do positive things with their fame means a lot to those they help. Ray Lewis born in Bartow, Florida and raised up in Lakeland, Florida was an all-time wrestler and football star for Kathleen High School. I grew up hearing about him all the time considering he went to my Rivalry high school and he’s from my hometown. Ray Lewis is not only a leader on the field he is a Leader off it as well. Some Leadership skills you can take from Ray Lewis are Leaders have to give 100+ percent and learn how to control their emotions.
Being captain of my senior year was the biggest accomplishment I have ever made. Having the chance to stand front and center gave me chills each and every time. Although knowing every move and cheer is required when being a cheerleader, that does not mean that you need to be perfect. As long as you are in sync with your team and you have a smile on your face that's all that matters. That's where people get on my nerves, they think all that cheering involves being the best and most pretty person who dates the caption of the football team.
As corny as it sounds, when a person joins one of these amazing organizations, it comes with a life-long support system and an amazing group of people that you can truly call brothers or sisters. Each individual joined their particular sorority or fraternity because they saw a bit of themselves in each of the members, and that likeness and connection does not disappear. Everyone shares an unbreakable bond that is indescribable, and can literally be found across the world at any given moment. Whether it be through raising money, volunteering to clean up run-down homes for people in need, or simply bonding over a game night, I would never be who I am without my sorority sisters. They constantly help me to grow and become a better and stronger person.
Sean Carney Kean University was my top interest because it had many majors that I looked to pursue in as I furthered my education. The two majors that I would enjoy to pursue in at your school would be something in the Visual Arts or Athletic Training. Also, your University also offers football, the sport that I have to truly love to play. I’ve been always interested in drawing all my life because I have been most comfortable expressing my feeling through that. I also took drawing my sophomore year and I got straight A’s in the class.
Another way that I show loyalty is by wearing the uniform of the U.S. Army. Not only am I a Cadet but a Student Athlete as well. I will come to practice and training to better my performance as well as score points for the team to participate in big events; which fall under duty. "Treating others with dignity and respect while expecting others to do the same," is what I live by. Respect is trusting that all people have done their jobs and fulfilled their duty.