First, I’d like to thank you for giving me the most amazing group of friends I could have ever asked for. The people I met in band class or during the musicals our school put on are some of the greatest people I know. Without the music department, I wouldn’t have them and I surely wouldn’t be the same person.
To my band teacher
To be honest, I hated playing the flute. Hated it. I wasn’t very good- probably because I never practiced. Instead of focusing on lessons and band rehearsals, I was generally the person on their cell phone, talking to their friends or doing homework for another class. But I have to thank you anyways. You made coming to class my favorite part of the day, and there wasn't one single moment in all of the high school that I actually dreaded going to band.
You were my funniest teacher hands down. You actually cared about each and every one of us individually and as a whole, which isn't a skill many teachers have these days. You knew when we had absolutely no focus and just needed a laid back class, but you also pushed every one of us to our full potential. You changed the music when it was too difficult and always made yourself available to us whenever we needed help. Even when there were times you were convinced we weren’t going to pull it together for the show, we did, for you.
Although we learned to read music in elementary and middle school, you honed in our skills. Even now in college when I no longer play my instrument, I see band jokes and laugh, because I still understand the band humor. Everyone else looks confused and it’s great when even after I explain the joke they still don’t get it.
Now to the Theater Department
A HUGE thank you to you guys, my high school theater department. Dealing with students day in and day out can get tired and frustrating, but you voluntarily came back to the school for days, nights and even weekends to help us create the most kick ass shows Rockland County has seen.
We got moody, were mostly immature, and definitely messed up more than any of us want to admit, but you helped us all learn to love theater or increased our love for it every day. Looking back, the musical season was the best season of the year for me: I got to hang out with my friends, perform on stage, and create some memories I will remember for the rest of my life. It made us all feel invincible. You all put a maximum amount of time and effort into something that you didn’t have to as volunteers. Instead of spending time at home with your families or hanging out with their friends, you took the time to guide us into creating a fantastic show.
The friends I made in drama club were ones I would never have made otherwise, but I'd never want to change that for the world. The district tour is a favorite of course, but all of those Sundays when we ordered delicious takeout and got to hang out for five hours to see a script come to life are all unforgettable. Although the costumes ranged for mediocre to absolutely awful but we all looked ugly so it’s okay. You gave me a reason to come back and visit and I’m heartbroken that I can’t see the show this year but I know everyone will be amazing as always.
A quick thanks to my school district.
Even though we went through budget cuts- basically everyone did- you didn’t cut our music program and you don’t understand the impact this program has on all that participate. It gives us an outlet during the stressful school day and a place to hangout when life gets too stressful and you just want to cry. My friends and I and so many more people beyond me have had the best of times on that stage and in the band room and it wouldn’t have been without the funding supplied by the district so thank you.
