Being a part of the Marcus High School Band has taught me many valuable lessons in life. A key motto in the band is “do whatever it takes,” and after fighting cancer, that phrase has taken on new meaning. Going into my sophomore year, cancer flipped my life upside down. I faced challenges I never thought I would endure, including chemo and radiation that wrecked my entire body, pain that seemed endless, and a surgery with an outcome that meant severe loss of mobility in my right arm. The joy of what I loved - playing the bassoon and bass clarinet, were now nearly impossible due to my tragic situation. I was trapped, suspended in a moment I never saw coming. Consumed by one word, “cancer”. I vividly remember the first time I tried to hold my bassoon after months of recovery. My arm trembled violently, making it seem impossible to get back to where I once was. Through all the hard times I kept pursuing my passion. That burning desire to be back on the marching field with my friends was what gave me hope during the tough days of treatment and months of physical therapy. I never let the mountainous health challenges I faced stop me from pursuing what I love. During the difficult times of my treatment the surrounding high school band community kindly supported me. When I was recovering at home from my first chemotherapy infusion, I heard a drum roll coming from outside my front door. To my surprise I found the entire Marcus High School Band in my front yard as they played our school fight song. It brought the biggest smile to my face to see all of my friends who came to support me. When I was not able to come to them, they came to me. This is one of my favorite memories from being in a band. Then just a couple weeks later I heard another drum roll and found the Flower Mound High School Band also outside my door. Our rivals came to support me, demonstrating community goes beyond our immediate circle, but stretches well beyond to support someone in need. By junior year, I rejoined the marching band as a member of the electronics team and everything began to click again. I also relearned how to hold and play my bassoon and bass clarinet from an adjusted position for concert season. I adapted, found new ways to contribute, and rediscovered the excitement of being part of something bigger than myself. Suddenly it was my senior year, and we performed at the Bands of America Grand Nationals in front of thousands where I’m proud to say we received seventh place nationally. Looking back, I can’t help but think how far I have come. I am beyond thankful for the Marcus Band and the lessons this program taught me. I have overcome more than I could imagine and emerged even stronger. I almost thought that the marching band would be out of the picture for me, yet I refused to accept that. I kept looking forward even while everything around me fell apart. Cancer left me with scars both inside and out. But because of it, I know who I am, what I’ve overcome, and why I’m here. I found a way to rise above the challenges, always pushing past the limits of what others set for me. Cancer didn’t take away my love for music - it redefined it. Doing “whatever it takes” to get back to what I love - my music, my community, and my passion.

I never knew how much fight I had in me until fighting for my life was my only option. My father and I have said the same words, just under different circumstances. My father is a Navy veteran, and I am a cancer survivor. The only difference is he chose his fight; the fight was chosen for me. Regardless, bravery was the constant. His unwavering strength helped me overcome cancer. He has always been my rock, my firm foundation. Now I aspire to live up to his level of service and honor by pursuing a degree in Child Life, supporting children who fight the same battle I once fought. One lesson he taught me that I am extremely thankful for is the level of excellence you bring to your work. My father taught me that if you are going to do something, you should do it with excellence. There is no “try” or “I guess.” The answer should always be, “I can, and I will.” I’ll never forget the time my father asked me to clean the playroom. My 7-year-old mind decided shoving everything under the couch would be the quickest solution. So, I picked up all the toys and shoved them behind the couch. Soon enough he found the mess. To my surprise, he wasn’t mad or upset. Instead, he calmly pulled everything back out and said, “We’re going to do this again.” We ended up spending the whole day reorganizing and deep cleaning the entire playroom. I remember being so frustrated, wondering why we had to do it this way and what the point was. But the next day something changed—my toys were easier to find, and I even rediscovered toys I had completely forgotten about. Looking back now, I appreciate the lesson my father was teaching me that day. He was showing me what excellence looks like. It wasn’t about cleaning a room; it was about learning to do things the right way. To this day, I do my best to live up to the standard of excellence he raised me with as I serve others. My father taught me that true service means showing up when it matters most, and the significance of the level of excellence you bring to your service. Cancer forced me into a battle I did not choose, but it also revealed the strength I carry within me. By dedicating my life to supporting children facing illness, I hope to honor his example while transforming my pain into purpose. Our fights were different, but the courage that carried us through is the same—and it is that courage that now guides my future.