Chase Your Dreams by Keri

Chase Your Dreams by Keri - November 2013 Scholarship Essay

High school teaches us more than just words and facts on pages of textbooks. High school teaches us valuable lessons that we can take with us wherever we go. For me, the most important lesson was to never let fear get in the way of chasing after my dreams.

I’ve always had a deep love for music. I was a percussionist in the middle school band. It was there that I met the high school band director who immediately began asking me to join the drumline. He continued asking me to join each year. However, due to various circumstances, I didn’t get the chance to join until my senior year. My friends who were already in band began to beg me to join as well. I wrestled with the idea of drumline for a very long time.

I was absolutely terrified. "What if I don’t like it? What if I can’t keep up? What if the guys judge me for not being able to play like them? (Being a girl in a guy’s world isn’t always easy, you know.) What if I don’t make the line? What if I disappoint my director and drum tech?" All of these intimidating thoughts seemed to be on a constant loop inside my head.

My mom had convinced me to at least attend tryouts, and she said that maybe then my decision would become a little easier. So into tryouts I went. I walked into the band room and saw all of the guys who had been in drumline previously setting up their drums and drum stands. This just made me even more nervous because I had absolutely no clue what I was doing. I was utterly petrified. I could practically feel my heart beating out of my chest. I couldn’t breathe properly; my breathing was so labored and heavy that I’m surprised I didn’t pass out. To top it off, I thought that I was going to puke from all of my apprehension. I told myself that it would just be easier to walk out and not do drumline than it would be to face the fear of trying out. I started for the door, but I stopped myself. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. I had always had an inkling of wanting to be a member of drumline, and senior year was going to be my year. I was NOT going to let fear stop me. So, I came to grips with the fact that I would NOT leave. I went to the guys and asked for help, and they showed me how to set up the drums and equipment. Already one of my fears was relieved…They didn’t feed me to the wolves and make me fend for myself. The drum tech and the other band director came into the room and began the tryouts. They weren’t anywhere near as daunting or unapproachable as I thought they would be. They gave me the music, and to my surprise, I caught on quickly. I loved every minute of it, and I couldn’t wait until the next day of tryouts. Finally, they announced the line, and I was placed on the first bass drum. The drum tech even chose me to call bass splits (a certain type of warm-up we did), which apparently is a big deal in drumline.

Of course I was still nervous when it came time for performances and competitions, but as for my fear, it was gone. Throughout this season, I have learned so much in music and in life. I feel like I have grown as a musician and in the art of my trade. Music has become an even bigger passion in my life through this experience. I have made friendships that will last forever. The other members of drumline have become some of my closest and dearest friends. Just because marching band season is over doesn’t mean that our friendships are, and I’m so thankful for that. I’m so blessed to have these people in my life.

Overall, drumline taught me to not let fear stop me from doing what I dream of doing. If I had walked out the door the first day of tryouts, I would have never gotten to experience all of the amazing things that this season held for me. I often think about that day that I made my choice to stay and overcome my fear, and I am so extremely grateful that I did not let fear overtake me. That is one of the best decisions I have ever made. Thanks to high school, the old saying “Don’t let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game” has become an intense reality. It is a lesson that has been truly life-changing.