The Lessons of a Band Director by Madison

The Lessons of a Band Director by Madison - July 2016 Scholarship Essay

There have been many valuable lessons bequeathed upon me by my wonderful teachers throughout the years. The most valuable, however, came from my high school band director, Brad Hruska. Even though the lessons he taught me were mostly unspoken, they still made an everlasting impact on my life and helped me grow as a person and adult.
Of the numerous lessons Mr. Hruska taught me, the most important was showing me just how valuable a well-rounded student is. Having music and Mr. Hruska in my life for as long as I have, has taught me to become just that. Mr. Hruska always pushed me to do things that challenged me musically and always encouraged me, even when I failed, to get up and try again. Mr. Hruska also encouraged athletics as well. I was a part of the marching band as well as fall sports every year in high school and Mr. Hruska was always able to work around my hectic schedule without question. He is the type of teacher who wants his students to succeed in everyway possible, even if it was athletically. He understood that music and marching band aren’t the only extracurricular activities to pursue and encouraged not only me, but other students as well to pursue fall sports. Mr. Hruska has also shown me what real passion looks like (on the podium) and has taught me that, when you put your mind to something, there is no stopping you. When someone is as passionate about you succeeding as Mr. Hruska is about his students, you know you have a great mentor and teacher.
Having a year of college under my belt, this well-rounded, passionate student mentality has helped me tremendously. Not only are colleges looking for students like this, but employers are too. They look at grades, transcripts, etc. but they also want to see that you were involved in high school, more than anything. Having an extracurricular experience, whether it be athletic, musical, or part of a student club, those experiences are worthwhile and you will always find that you gain knowledge you didn’t have before. Having the opportunities I did with music, athletics and school organizations have allowed me to participate on the executive board of the Women and Business Leadership Organization of Bowling Green State University, becoming an active member in the Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Society and a member of the Falcon Marching Band.
Mr. Hruska is a great mentor, teacher and friend, and I am so glad that I was able to have been under his tutelage for those four years in high school. I wouldn’t be who I am today, studying Music Industry and still playing music, without his support, passion and guidance.