“Carpe Diem”, “One more time”, and so many other phrases you’ve heard over and over again that you don’t realize you miss until you’re gone.

I did band from my sixth grade year through my senior year and it was one of the best decisions I have made. You not only learn about music, but about life. Our band directors poured their all into the band to make sure we were great.

Band taught me:

Humbleness:

We were good and we knew it, but when we won we didn’t gloat. We walked around and congratulated the other bands if we saw them, and realized that it could’ve have been us in their position as well. Same goes for when we did lose, we still applauded the other bands and tucked our tails between our legs, then took the next week's practices head on. The directors would always warn us about social media and that we couldn’t brag or bash on there.

This helps me be humble today because if I get a good grade on a test, I don’t boast out loud in class or anything because it’s good chances someone else in that class didn’t pass, and I strongly dislike when I fail and another person is waving their good grade in my face.

“Carpe Diem”

We are never promised another day so we should “seize the day” and give each day we live the best chance we’ve got. This goes with leaving no doubt anywhere in life and not to let a moment slip by you, because you won’t realized you missed it until it’s gone.

Most importantly band taught me that a group of 130+ random kids can become one big family that help each other accomplish a common goal. They also help you when you need them during an emotional time or if you need help in a class. The band is one big dysfunctional family, but if I had the chance to do it all over again with the same people I wouldn’t even think twice about it.