It seems like just yesterday it was my first day of band. I remember how scared I was, how nervous I was. But for some reason, a reason which I really still have no clue of, people seemed to like me. Maybe they didn't like me, maybe they just tolerated me, I'm not sure. But when I first got to camp, I saw how things were really going to happen. I saw an instant change in people, and the Freshman started to get messed with. But, again, for unknown reasons, I was exempt from having to do the freeze drill. After leaving, I felt a sense of enjoyment and couldn't wait to go back.
Sophomore year was more of the same, just with more friends, more jokes, and more fun.
Junior year was, by far, the best of the three. The show was great, I liked the Seniors, and I had opened up a lot that summer. At camp, I really tried my hardest and set my eyes on the Best Junior award. When the announcing of awards came and my name was called for Best Junior, I was filled with a sense of joy and accomplishment.
Now, about to go to my Senior year, my last year, of Band Camp, I've set my goals. As section leader, my goal is to get Best Section, and as of right now, we are definitely in the running, something that hasn't happened since I've been here. I feel like I do play a very big part in this since I am helping my section and pushing them as much as I can, but I cannot take all the credit. The people in my section are great and they are working so hard, and I'm very proud. Another goal is to get Best Marcher, the highest award you can get at Band Camp. Last year, I found out that I was actually in the running for Best Marcher (yes, as a Junior!), but instead of me, a very deserving Senior won it. So, hopefully, I can continue to improve, and continue to push myself, as well as everyone else, and can win this award. If my section were to get Best Section and I were to win Best Marcher, I don't think I'd be able to express my happiness.
That's just the Marching Band aspect of it. In about a month, I will return to school for another 9-month-long torture. It does not feel like I've been at Truman for four years. I've come a long way since Freshman year and I'm so proud of myself.
Freshman year was tough. Having to learn how to juggle Marching Band, academics, friends and time for myself was not an easy task. But I learned. I had as many honors classes as possible and was able to keep a decent GPA.
Sophomore year was even harder. More honors classes, Marching Band, joining Drama, joining NHS, juggling more friends, more tasks, and still trying to have alone time was harder.
The summer before Junior year I changed a lot. I had opened up and I've allowed myself to do things I wouldn't have before. Yes, I'm still shy and still awkward, but I'm finally proud of myself and happy with myself. So, that summer, I promised myself that I must, no matter what, worry about school and push myself harder than I ever had. I now had two AP classes, Marching Band, Drama, NHS, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, Band Council, friends and alone time.
Throughout Junior year, things had changed as well. I had lost a lot of friends, pulled away from some of the closest and still had to try and focus. At times, I wanted to quit. I wanted to say "who cares about school? Why can't I just do what makes me happy?" But, I continued to work at it. I started the school year off with a class rank of 18. With the help of three grade-point-averages over 4.0, I am currently number 2 in my class. Also, I got a 27 on my ACT. I am the Vice-President in NHS, section leader in both Marching Band and Symphonic Band, and Secretary of Band Council. I have achieved so much these last three years and I couldn't be happier.
So, really, the point of this is to say that I want to continue to work. I want to continue to push myself, as well as others, and also, be pushed too. I want to work for more awards, more achievements, but even more so, I want to work to achieve the goals I set. I want to work and, one day, be able to make films, make music, and write novels.
As weird as it is to me, I'm ready for my Senior year, and I'm ready for Band Camp. I hope to have fun with the Seniors and really make this last year of ours enjoyable and memorable, as well.
So, here's to coming out of my shell even more and having the best Senior year possible.
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