When I joined the Panther Regiment, I was surprised to learn that everything Mr. Nicholas had said when he came to my middle school to recruit was true. I was a doubtful convert to marching band, but the experiences I had that season with my bandmates both on the field and off cemented it as a key aspect of my life for the next four years. The Panther Regiment has been a home to me each year I’ve been in high school, and each year, it has helped me grow into the person that I want to be. Marching with the Regiment and playing in the band has given me a program and, more importantly, a group of people to dedicate myself to for the past four years. Without them, I wouldn’t be the man I am today. This group has shown me the value of effort and commitment, what it means to be part of something, and why those things are so important. A frequent refrain of Mr. Nicholas’ is that all you need to do to get better at something is to work at it and spend time practicing, no matter what it is. I was definitely very bad at this when I joined the band, but in the time since I’ve had a lot of time to put that idea into practice, and it has allowed me to reach heights I never thought I could, or that I would want to. Practice implies commitment, but in today’s world, it’s easier than ever to decide to take the easy path and just skate by instead of committing to doing your best and achieving something special. I was very much a “just skate by” guy at the beginning of high school, but ever since performing with the band showed me what achievement and success felt like, I’ve been firmly on the other side of that line. It’s so rewarding to work hard and see that work turn into something special, and I have the South bands to thank for showing me that. Those bands, of course, are nothing without the people that make them up. I’m very lucky to have had the privilege of practicing and performing with such a talented group each year. The friends I’ve made in the band have stuck with me these four years, and they are an essential component of how being in the band has changed me for the better. They have helped me when I needed it and shown me what it means to be a good person and a good friend. I’ve done my best to show them the same kindness and empathy that they’ve shown me, and I’m very thankful that they’ve had the impact on my high school trajectory that they have. I’ve spent hundreds of hours practicing my instrument throughout high school, performed at numerous contests and festivals every year, even joined a community band and traveled with them to perform, and I love it all. I’ve achieved so much, but I couldn’t have done any of it had I not had incredible experiences with every ensemble at South. I’m so thankful that my time at South had the impact on me that it did, and as I approach graduation and the next chapter of my life, I feel ready to reach new heights in everything I do and see where the world takes me next.