Where do I begin? Moran and Lynn were two of the most influential men of my high school career. There are just so many wonderful memories dating back to summer band camp of 2009. Jeez, it seems like just yesterday I was cracking cymbals like it was going out of style. Has anyone broken the record of three in one week yet? I still feel really bad about that. I’d totally refund you guys if I could, except I don’t have that kind of money. So here’s my apology and thank you in the form of an online article -- I hope you thoroughly enjoy it!

To (cue Arnold Schwarzenegger voice) The Lynninator: What can I say? You were absolutely amazing. Sure, we all hated your yelling and screaming when no one was in a good mood on an excruciatingly hot summer day, but secretly everyone thoroughly enjoyed having you around. Being able to run laps with you and have the experience of playing on the field and in the stands with you will be some of the best memories from high school. However, nothing can top the cruise of junior year. I still remember when we got to the port in Baltimore and were standing in line, then you began asking everyone if we had our passports and I started feverishly looking around and you were facepalming the whole time. That’s the last time I bury it at the bottom of my book bag. Also, I still chuckle at your reaction when my book bag went through the scanner and the security kept moving it back and forth and pointing at the screen and you were just looking at me as if I placed a bomb in the bag...my bad. I think the icing on the cake, though, has got to be that group photo that we took before getting on the ship. Everyone giving the thumbs up was the greatest idea ever. I mean, just look at this glorious photo. You can't get much better than that! (sorry for the blurriness, blame Jaden for taking a photo of a photo).

In all seriousness, though, you were an incredible assistant band director, and I couldn’t have asked for anyone better than you. You cared so much about the band and all of the members that were a part of what made the FHS marching band so thrilling and amazing. You always got us energized for games and your corny puns and jokes made everyone's day. I still miss hearing those jokes on a daily basis. At least you keep up with it on occasion on Facebook! Keep them coming!

As for Moran: I honestly don’t remember if we ever gave you a nickname. I asked Tori not too long ago, and she doesn’t even remember Lynn’s nickname. I am pretty sure we gave you one, but we are all just so used to saying Moran that whatever else was there never stuck. As with Lynn, there were so many memories with you that it’s hard to pick out a hand full of favorites. However, two do stick out in particular. Let’s go way back to Spring of 2010 in Florida when we were backstage with the Disney crew playing through a variety of songs from various movies. The first memory was when I had to play the triangle, Scott Tress was on the cymbals, and the rest of the drummers had other percussion parts. The instructor said he would waive me in, but I missed three times in a row until I finally got it and then Scott missed his part. We did it again and then the third person missed their part, and I just remember you glaring from the corner of the room because we were all so tired we couldn’t stop laughing at our mistakes. The best memory though comes from right after that when the band had to play Tarzan and then the instructor left the ending of animal noises to you and Lynn. I swear those noises that were made did not sound at all like animals but I give you props for trying. I think that particular moment is what really energized the band for the rest of the day. I just couldn't stop laughing and being tired only made me laugh even harder. I was going to add the link to it here, but I can’t seem to find it anywhere online. You’ve been spared the hilarious embarrassment that was that moment in time.

I do have to thank you for one particular moment in time though. That happens to be when you came to East Hills Middle School and auditioned all of us eighth graders to be a part of the incredible FHS Patriot marching band. I remember how incredibly nervous and unprepared I was. I lacked the knowledge and skill of all the other drummers, and I still remember going into the office and just falling apart through the whole audition. I remember going back into the band room knowing that I had blown it and I had no chance whatsoever to be a part of the high school band. Yet, you still accepted me and all of my ridiculousness, and that is something I will always thank you for from the bottom of my heart. Whether you did it to simply expand the size of the band or you did it because my older brother was already in the band, it doesn’t matter. What matters is you gave me the chance to be a part of something great during my four years of high school and I will forever have some absolutely wonderful memories that I will cherish for a lifetime.

Now, putting aside all the wonderful memories and whatnot, you two were absolutely amazing instructors and teachers. You guided us all through the most difficult parts of You both were like a second group of parents to me and I believe a lot of other band members thought that too. We loved you a lot of times, couldn't stand you in others, but without you both we would all be very different individuals. You both were always there for us in our most exciting life moments and also in our most heartbreaking life moments. You both knew how to make everyone smile and laugh, but also taught us manners, patience, and how to be fit young adults in public settings. No matter how insane, socially awkward, timid, popular, outgoing, comical we all were, you still appreciated us for who we all were as a person and never judged us by how we acted. We all deeply thank you for that love and support. Plus, who can forget the amazing delivery of Tasty Kakes after every summer band camp? That’s true love right there.