I would first like to say, I miss high school band so much!

I can honestly say that I would certainly not be the individual that I am proud to be today if it were not for you. Explaining to people here at college about how special the Cedartown band program is proves to be a difficult task because like you always said, you can't really understand it unless you have experienced it. It made high school enjoyable for me. The program has done so much for me and ultimately I have you to thank for that so, thank you:

For crafting a program and environment that I came to love so quickly and that came to love me right back. None of the troubles of the day mattered when I was rehearsing. I was there to perform. Who knew a little band room in a small town could be so special to me and so many others.

For dealing with all the unpleasant squeaks and squawks during practice. Sorry I made your eyes bleed all those times.

For cracking jokes during rehearsals, whether it was aimed at percussion or yourself or everyone in between.

For being firm during rehearsals and not accepting anything less than the ensemble's best every day. Complacency was not an option, artistry was the goal.

For showing me that young people are capable of so much more than what people would like to think.

For always being straightforward with issues that I needed to address.

For helping me to attain a level of musicianship I never thought I was capable of. No matter how challenging the literature was, you knew exactly how to present it to us (and, of course, encourage daily independent practice).

For being the best model of leadership I have ever experienced. Through your example and guidance, I was inspired to be as much of a leader as I could be despite how timid I was. If you would've asked me if

For having us stand there and really assess how we did after every performance because there was always room for improvement.

For keeping the bundle of sentimental and odd traditions alive, even the ones that started during my time in the program.

For ALL the stories you would tell. Yes, all of them. You always shared them with the intention of imparting a valuable life lesson to us such as morality, integrity or selfless. Your stories showed how you were always involved and cared about your students because even years later you had not forgotten about them. You were not distant and you loved to interact with us, even when you caught us in our natural goofy state with our friends. You smiled and joined in the laughs. You would ask how someone's day was and that meant so much to me.

Most importantly, thank you for not only teaching me how to be a good musician but a good human being with integrity, no matter where I am or what I'm doing, especially when no one is watching. I am braver and a better leader because of what you taught us. From picking up trash no matter whose it is, to going the extra mile for someone you see struggling. Your lessons will always be a part of who I am. Whenever I am asked who some of the most influential people in my life have been, I always mention you. It's hard to explain to someone why exactly, because like you said, you have to experience it for yourself.

I know that any alum of the program can say that you have positively impacted their life and I can't wait for more classes of students to experience that you have crafted.