Graduation Speech : The March Of Our Lives

The Evergreen Marching Band and Colorguard (EMBC) has stewed in accomplishment, success, and hard work, for more than two decades. People don’t know, that we 're not just a normal halftime marching band--we are a competitive marching band. Like any football, drill, or soccer team, EMBC strives to compete amongst the greats. For a couple decades, EMBC has marched to success and we don 't want to stop now; however, the competitive program was close to being slashed this year, due to lack of funds. Students and parents raged at the thought of no competitive season. Competing is the best part for everyone in this program. If we lost that it wouldn’t be as much fun. We were so far in debt that if we couldn 't raise enough money, it would 've been game over.

Not many people are familiar with marching band because the sport only lasts for a fall semester. Because the season is short, marching band does not have many competitions. A typical marching season has only one or two competitions. However, even though there are few competitions, each group practices for weeks on end. Each band strives to meet that one goal, which is to do well in a certain competition. When a marching band performs their absolute

Awards ceremonies are nerve wracking, especially as a freshman marcher. Especially because this competition, the Bands of America St. Louis Super Regional, meant more than anything else. Successful marching bands from all over the midwest traveled to this one competition, which practically determines the band’s prominence. I took a deep, shaky breath and continued on into the stadium, letting my uneasy thoughts drift away. “Don’t worry,” I told myself, “you got this.” I had yet to see the crowd themselves, as I had only heard them from inside the tunnel. Saying I was shocked is an understatement. Thousands of people gathered in one stadium just to watch a marching band competition was a sight I have imprinted in my memories. I look forward to it every year. At last, all 14 bands are lined up side-by-side, close enough that we’re touching. Awards have finally begun. All the long hours of practice, perseverance, and pain led up to one deeply special moment that is tattooed in my

First off I just wanted to say thank you for your service because if it was not for you we would not be writing essays right now. I just have to say, I like the words of Abraham Lincoln’s quote who said, “My dream is of a place and a time where America will once again be seen as the last best hope on earth.” I love the word “Dream” and the part of the quote about the “America’s best and last hope on the earth.” The best last hope on earth makes me happy to read because I believe it is true. America’s gift to my generation is hope.

Sophomore year of marching came. This year was a surprise for everyone. With our show being named ‘Masterminder.’ The band members marching were under control by the color guard soloist; the puppeteer. This show was pretty exciting, too. The judges also thought that. We made it past regionals AND semi-state. What? Yeah, we all thought the same thing. We had made it. We had FINALLY made it after so many years of just trying to get past regionals for once. It was a bitter-sweet feeling waiting for placement awards at Lucas Oil Stadium. The instructors went around to each band student one by one. The congratulated us on an amazing season. I started tearing up, but that isn’t surprising. As we marched our way out of Lucas Oil Stadium that night, I knew that this was only the beginning of a new generation for the Marching Marksmen.

Have you ever felt the pain knowing you and the people beside you might not be there tomorrow? Have you ever known the feeling of having your family oceans away? Although I have never felt anything close to that, I have empathy for those who have. I feel others should realize all of the Veteran’s pain, and their sacrifice, just for us! For our Freedom! Freedom of Education, of Speech, of Choice and many more. I say “ Thank you.” to the Veterans. Yet, it’s not just the Veterans that make sacrifices.

Sitting in a cramped football stadium with bands who vary across the state, the crowd becomes hushed as the band members watch their beloved field commanders and seniors lined across the field. Silence remains until a voice booms from the overhead speakers. Each band listens carefully for their name, along with their rating. Upon hearing the results, the students jump and yell with joy, or pout and believe they deserve better. Band competitions contain memories of the dubious ratings received, massive opportunities within the competition, and the long practices behind the performance.

America's gift to our generation is that we have so many opportunities. We have the freedom and safety to pick what we want to do in life. We don't have to go to sleep worrying about if someone is going to come invade our house. We also get great education. Even tho people don't like going to school they should be thankful because a lot of kids don't have schools or can't afford to go to them. The stuff you learn at school will help you a lot with your future like if you want to work at a store than math will help you with the money or if you want to be a teacher than you can go to college and learn to be a teacher. Safety is something we should all be thankful for because a lot of countries have to worry about being safe. We don't have

“And your second place band is…” The room was silent enough to hear the racing hearts of the hundreds of performers. Each had poured his heart out on the field. The silence was deafening, and the hearts were no longer racing. Instead, it felt as if they had momentarily stopped. Each student of the marching band grasped another student’s sweaty and shaky hands. The pause felt like centuries, seeing as the next word determined the results of months of hard work. The announcer was about to reveal who had reached the award of state champion. Of course, performing at the state level was rewarding enough, but students were about to learn if they could go home with the title of 2014 state champions.

This marching season has been immensely successful. I could not be more proud of myself, my section and the band for growing and rebuilding the Bloomington High School’s Marching Raider’s program.

I started preparing for the chance to get into the Pride the moment I hit sixth grade. Joining the band program, I spent three years learning

My involvement in the band has led me out of my comfort-zone, and allowed me to be a strong and confident leader. Through my achievement of various leadership roles and opportunities in my school and community, I attribute my love for helping people and love of music in making me a unique person. Music has given me the ability to shout, plunk out keys on the piano, or play crazy-high notes on my flute, and not be afraid of what others may think. My unique, responsible, caring leadership attributes and love for music are reflected as I stand at the top of a metal ladder, shouting across the football field. As one of my band’s Drum Majors, I am responsible for leading our 266 Pine-Richland marching band. On the first day of band camp, I was terrified no one would listen to me, I would not remember what to do, or I simply wouldn’t be good enough. However, soon I realized I deserved my position and would help our band be its best. I gave it my all, and sooner than later, my shouts could be heard across the field and my whistle pierced the air. The dedication, determination, knowledge, and love of music has helped me express who I am and strive to be, and

“Good morning everyone!” said our band director Mrs. Allen, “As you all know we have a month left until our fall concert! I hope that you are all preparing for the concert!”

For some students it was their first District Band Festival performance, such was true for many 5th graders, but for seniors it was their 8th and final District Band Festival performance. However, for everyone who performed, whether it was their first or last performance, this event created amazing opportunities for everyone to show off their musical development and lasting

The world is becoming increasingly diverse and integrated with each passing day, and so too has history in education. The classrooms I have worked in have had an incredibly diverse group of students, and being able to work with and to understand different cultures is an imperative for me. Two years ago I was lucky enough to have the privilege of spending the summer abroad in Hong Kong through UCLA for my college classes. From the beginning, I knew that my goal of this summer abroad was to understand how to work with a culture very different than my own. I would be lying if I stated that I wasn’t a challenge to adjust, but with my patience, understanding, and my desire to succeed, I eventually prevailed. I pushed through my fear of not doing well enough and decided to try my best. The skills I learned in communicating with people whom English is a second language and understanding a culture completely foreign to my own are skills that I will retain for the rest of my teaching career.