Wildcat World

At the beginning of this year, we lost our practice field to a parking lot before band camp started(Growing pains of a 5A school). It was difficult to get used to, but I rewrote the show to fit onto a softball field, our new home.  I have to admit, it was no easy task as I tried to keep the kids off the infield dirt because when it rained, it was a slosh pit.  I used this as a teachable moment with the band to say that we could use excuses if we wanted to, but that it would not be beneficial. Excuses would not accomplish our goals of being the best.  I explained that, “what didn’t kill us, was going to make us better.”  Well, we didn’t die and…

slowly, things began to happen…

The administration went out of their way to make me and the band feel important and necessary in this journey to make Walker High the pride of the parish.  I received numerous notes, emails, personal visits, and even a shout out on the intercom and in the letter to parents.  This isn’t a complete list, but all of it was encouraging to my spirit.  Our new football coach also went out of his way to show me his support for me and the band (they even stayed after the Denham game to watch us perform!).  A cheerleader wrote in her english class about how the Walker Band was her favorite and she went on to list positive things she saw in us (they also made up a cheer for us, brought us goodies, made us a cool sign for the last home game, and they made awesome tags for us to wear on game days!)  I even received correspondence from our Assistant Superintendent telling me the show looked great and good luck at festival.  I have also stopped counting the number of complete strangers that have stopped me to tell me that the band was awesome and they enjoyed the show. These are just some of the things that happened outside of the walls of the band room.

Inside the walls of the band room there was also something stirring.  Ever since the Central game in 2007, we knew we had to be the backbone of pride at Walker High and we had to be examples, all the time.  In 2008, the band took our new “temporary” home on the softball field in stride and instead of making excuses, they put their energy into learning the half time show and becoming a tight nit group.  Yes, the days were difficult and hot, but out of that hard work came the funnest games I have ever been to as a band director and the best half time performances to date.  It even inspired some in the band to write poems, free write, and give encouraging letters and speeches to each other.   My band had begun to take ownership of their band program, of their show. 

I write this after I have just seen the most incredible half time show I have witnessed at Walker High.  I am so excited for my band because I really believe they have begun to realize their potential:  to be the best.  I was reminded tonight that I still absolutely love teaching band at Walker High, and the obstacles have only made me and my band stronger.  Now in a few hours the band has one more chance to own the field at festival.  One more chance to say, “WE ARE HERE!” 

I also am proud once again to say that, “I AM HERE!”  Thank you to everyone that has made this year the most unbelievable year yet.  I look forward to what is in store next.  Part of me hopes a new field is somewhere on the drawing board, but none the less, I am here.  We are here…

When I first got to Walker High in 2002, I took a long hard look at what was done in the past.  I had to do this so I could see where we were going in the future.   One thing I took a long hard look at was the finances.  I looked at all the old, beat up and falling apart instruments and I wanted to hurl.  Repairs on these instruments were ridiculous and some instruments were not even playable.  I decided that I would clamp down and save up some money to get us started on building an instrument inventory that was worthy of the Band of Legacy. 

One of the things I decided to do was stop buying senior award jackets.  Well, to make a long story short, it didn’t go over well.  We perservered and it allowed us to purchase some very nice instruments that we are still using to this day.  One thing I realized though, this was a tradition that is worthy of keeping.  Hey, I messed up!  Sorry.  It is back.  I love being able to get the seniors award jackets for their senior year.  I think they look awesome!

Are there some traditions you would like to see revived or maybe a new tradition started?  Here is your chance to be heard.  Just remember…I signed my name and I posted it.  You sign your name, it might be edited to protect the innocent, but it will be posted. 

Well, say hello to Brady Luke.  He was 7.14 lbs and 20-3/4 inches.  He is a little bundle of joy that eats, poops, cries, and sleeps and has brought many smiles to our house.  No, really, I truly am richly blessed to have been given the opportunity to help raise another wonderful child along with my wonderful wife, Tallie.  She has been such an awesome mom  and wife throughout everything.  I will also say this… It is hard being the momma:  preparing the meals, taking care of the children, etc.  Tallie, I can’t wait until you are all healed up! 

I must also say that Emily and Sydni have become quite the little helpers too.  And they love being the big sisters. 

Here is a link to my wife’s blog if you want to see more pictures:

www.mylittlecorneroftheplanet.blogspot.com

Well, I have really enjoyed reading the responses to the blog so far and I am anxious to see what each of you may say next.   I appreciate everyone who has been sincere and followed the rules.  You are what it is all about.  To those of you who don’t put a name that I recognize from the band, you have been ushered into the land of deletion.  One thing I have learned in life, if it is worth saying, then it is worth putting your name behind it.  If you can’t back up what you say with your real name, it is worthless.  Kinda like a “call and comment” section of a paper when someone writes an anonymous letter. 

Anyone that knows me well, knows that if I know have done something wrong, I am pretty quick to acknowledge it and say I am sorry.  I am not scared of being wrong, I am only scared of doing the same wrong thing again.  I also know that sometimes my passion about the band is misread as I don’t care about you or a situation you might be having.  That could not be further from the truth.  Just remember, I am on your side, I want to see you all succeed, and I am definitely not perfect. 

This last week was a tough week for me. My Grandfather passed away on Tuesday night and I suddenly found myself going through many different emotions. I tried to do my best at work and at home but my thoughts were continually on my mom and her immediate family. It was difficult to do much of anything else. I felt powerless to do anything, except pray, as I was here and my mom was in Shreveport. This situation made me thankful for the brief life that I am given here on Earth and it made me realize how precious life is and that I should make the most out of what I am given. My wife and children were wonderful as they gave me encouragement and just loved on me. I really needed to lean on their strength and they came through for me. Some close friends also offered condolences and I really appreciated their sincerity.

I had to cancel some important things at school (parish festival) so that I would not miss the wake or the funeral. I wish I could have done both, but a wise administrator once told me, “Be flexible within a structure.” This was definitely a flexing time and being there with family was definitely where I needed and wanted to be. We spent a lot of hours together and there were plenty of hugs and tears. There were, however, plenty of smiles and laughter as stories were told by just about everyone. It was really neat as I got to know who my grandfather really was and I got to see how much everyone really needed everyone around them.  As I was leaving, I hugged all of my relatives and my parents and I was thankful that I could be there to share in the difficult time but also let my parents know that I loved and appreciated them.  Though it was a sad and difficult time, I know more now than ever what is really important to me and who and what I am thankful for.

I know that as I have gotten older, my priorities have changed and I know they will continue to change as real life experiences shape who I am. So now to my question: At the end of the day when everything is said and done, What is important to you?  Why is it important to you?  I can’t wait to read your comments.  And by the way, thank you for your thoughts and prayers also.  It means a lot to me.

Sincerely,

Mr. S 

What I did this weekend intead of doing my homework for at least one of my 4 professors:  

1.  I watched my favorite race car driver, Tony Stewart, win the first (non-points) Nascar race of the year on Saturday. YES! 

2.  I took my girls to watch the Lady Tigers play basketball on Sunday after church.  They lost by one point, ARGH!  If the LSU player’s foot would have been 4 inches back further behind the 3-point line, it would have gone to overtime.  We had a great time screaming and eating popcorn and a hotdog.

3. I jumped on the trampoline!  Yes, even after I had marched over 5 miles in 2 parades. 

4. I flipped the channels on the TV.  It ultimately ends up on Discovery Channel (FutureWeapons or Mythbusters) or the History Channel. 

So, I was wondering…what do you do to unwind, to get away, to procrastinate, to escape, to holler at the TV, whatever? 

Well, my wife and I are trying to come up with names for our baby boy that will be born on April 3rd.  We have thought about it and looked practically everywhere we can think of for ideas.  As I started looking around, I became more aware of origins and meaning of names.  Have you ever thought about your name and what it means?  Well, I looked mine up and found out that it is of German origin and it means, “tranquil, God’s peace.” “Hmm.  Very interesting,”  I thought to myself.  What is in a name anyway.  I know my life isn’t always peaceful or tranquil, though I do strive for it to be that way.   

I then was curious to see what my wife’s name meant along with all of my children.  My wife’s name, Tallie, means “Glittering Girl”, Emily means “Rival” and Sydni means “Wide Island”.  (We weren’t thinking about the meaning of the name when we named our two girls.  We were only thinking about a name we both agreed on.)  

So that brings me to ask you…..  What does your name mean?  Is it relevant to your life or is it similar to “Wide Island.”  Also, please vote and/or add ideas for names that we could use for our baby boy.  Who knows guys, he might be named after you. 
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For everyone now reading this blog that doesn’t know me… I guess I brought up the “loaded” incident and that led to “hang over” incident.  I don’t drink and I especially don’t condone drinking for the kids.  Just wanted clear that up!

Anyway,  There was a day when we were on the practice field and we were running through a song.  I was on the field around the 40 yard line by the back hash when I saw a section that I needed to help on the other side of the field.  I decided to run as fast as I could so I could adress the problem as it was happening.  Well, I wish someone would have video taped what happened because I probably could have won some money from Funniest Home Videos.  I started running and I went to turn a  quick corner and my legs flew out from underneath me.  I  totally slid about 5 yards on the practice field!  I was totally embarassed and after a minute, I realized I would probably have a pretty big bruise on my side.  Only about 5 people actually saw it. 

One last thing I remember in my first year at Walker is when I was standing at the top of the stadium and I accidently dropped my cell phone.  It smashed into about 5 peices on the rocks below.  Needless to say, it didn’t work any more. 

We are quickly approaching the parade season again and I can’t help but think about the logistics of what is required.  There are the buses, uniforms, instruments, the students of course and the most important thing:  parent volunteers.  When we have plenty of adults walking along side and assisting the students and protecting them from over exuberant revelers, it provides us with a safe barrier and the kids don’t have to worry about anything but playing their horns and having a great time.  So, I am putting out an all call for parents and family members over 18 to please come help us with chaperoning the parades, especially on February 9^th and February 16^th.  (www.wildcatlegacy.com , click on “news/calendar” and then click the “calendar” link for specific times)  

This issue of parental involvement is so important to the success of the band program at
Walker.  I have read about reasons why parents may or may not be involved with their children’s education at the high school level, but I would love to have some comments from the parents of WHS Band of Legacy students.  I believe this will be an excellent way to exchange thoughts and ideas and maybe we can see more parents become involved.  Feel free to leave comments on either why you are involved or why you aren’t involved.  I thank you ahead of time for your sincere thoughts and participation in making the Band of Legacy a top notch program.