I am a senior at Gladewater High School. Although I have not always been at Gladewater, I still call it my home. At first I was just another new kid, until I walked into the middle school band hall and skipped all 15 chairs and was sat 1st chair in their band. Everyone was confused why the new girl was there. I mean, I would be too considering nobody has heard me play at this school. Once I settled in everyone understood why I was there. As the years went by I made the all region band several years in row, the. I started advancing to area 3 years, and finally I made the all state band. I knew I made Gladewater proud being the drum major of such a great band, but I continued to push myself to be one of Gladewater’s best musicians. Making the all state band allowed me to prove to others as well as myself that I am capable of doing anything and everything I set my mind to. This year I applied to the University of Texas at Austin, Stephen F Austin, and the University of Texas at Tyler. I was accepted into all except UT Austin. I will admit, I was a little disappointed to see that I was capped at such an amazing school as UT Austin. Then I realized, I don’t need to move hours away to accomplish my dream. As fun as it would have been, I realized I already have everything I need right where I am. My final decision is to go to UT Tyler where I will study music and get my bachelors degree. This decision was not hard to make. I met one of the greatest directors my freshman year, who saw my face for just an hour every year. He not only recognized my face, but also my growing talent. At the end of our all region clinic this year, he offered to give me a private lesson. Of course as any musician would do, I scheduled a session. He explained to me I was an amazing player, and I would be a beautiful addition to their trumpet team. That is when I knew UT Tyler is where my home will be for the next 4 years. Under Dr. McBain’s direction, I plan to become a band director with hopes to make not only my family and I proud, but also to make Gladewater proud as I build the worlds next generation of musicians.