Colorguard is a very important aspect of my life. In fact, I would probably say that Marching Band and Winter Guard are my life. I presently enjoy marching for Mr. Donald Jenness at the University of Delaware. He has taught me a lot about guard and life over the past three years. Because of Donnie, I have been privileged enough to teach the colorguard aspect of the UMASS Drum Major Academy Camp in the summers of '97 and '98 and plan to return this year. The Drum Major Academy was a huge part of my life during my high school years. From my Sophomore year until I graduated from Glasgow High School, I attended West Chester's Drum Major Academy. It was required of the colorguard captains and the drum majors to attend each summer.
I love to march for a number of reasons. The family atmosphere is definately its most attractive characteristic. Without colorguard I would probably be a totally different person. I would've entered High School as a scared Freshman who didn't know anyone rather than a colorguard member who knew about fifty upperclassmen. I would've come to the University of Delaware knowing the minute amount of people from my graduating class. Instead, I knew a good three hundred people.
I feel I've met some of the greatest influences in my life through colorguard. Perhaps the most important person who came into my life through the activity is my "little sister" Lauren Tracy. She means the world to me. We met when I was a senior and she was an incoming freshman at Glasgow, and we've been close friends ever since. I even got the chance to teach her colorguard for the past two years at Glasgow. She's finally graduating this coming June, and I will most likely shed enought tears for her to swim out of the complex into the parking lot. My friends at University of Delaware are also important to me. Tracy Lynne Miller is definately the woman who keeps me the most sane out of everyone. I love being colorguard captain with her. I really love teaching with her. She has taught me so much in such a quiet manner....and i do mean a quiet manner, her voice is so CUTE! Jill Reilly, Stacy-Ann Stoehs, Marissa Laws, Missie Astifan, Sarah Bouclier, and Christy Dilts all mean a great deal to me. The Visual Arts Production Company would not have been as wonderful if they hadn't have been there marching next to me.
Finally, and most importantly, there are my kids. They mean the most to me out of every guard I've ever marched or taught. I love working with such a talented, crazy group of people. Third Degree Winter Ensemble is what is keeping me in the game this season. Walking out on the floor at a competition is so much more exhilerating when my kids are there. They make me perform to the best of my ability every time I hear them yelling. Tywanda is definately the loudest out of all of them, and I love and miss her tons. When I go to Dayton, Ohio this season for Nationals, I'm going to imagine all of them sitting in the judges box screaming and yelling. That way I know I'll have a wonderful show no matter what.
My seniors really mean a lot to me. Nikki Ball, Janine Scherr, Lauren Tracy and Jen Zappo are not only kids that I teach, but I also had the opportunity to march with them when I was a senior at GHS. Their class is extremely talented, and I can't wait to march next to them again at the University of Delaware. This year's best moment was at UD Band Day when they were all on the field with me again. It was also cool to be on the same field with kids that I will never have a chance to march with. What an experience!
Other aspects of my life
My Family Tree
My Friends
My Current Kids -- Glasgow High School
My Old Kids -- Wilmington High School
Atlanta Braves
Tweety Bird
