Tell me teenagers are lazy and I’ll point to the FDSH band kids who have completed two days of band camp, putting 14 pages of their drill on the field and working hard to build strong marching technique.  Or maybe I’ll acknowledge the cheer squads from FDSH that performed really well-done routines at cheer camp.

Tell me teenagers don’t care about the quality of their work and I will ask you to listen to the amazing sound of the band which has been playing together for a total of a couple of days.  They give me chills already and the season has barely begun.  Or, again, the cheerleaders who worked hard to be in sync with each other so their routines were tight and the stunts flew.

Tell me teenagers have attitude and won’t work and I’ll start listing for you the names of band kids who have reviewed the drill and music without uttering one word of complaint.

Tell me that teenagers aren’t responsible and I’ll point to a number of section leaders within the FDSH band who run sectionals – both music and marching – as well as drum majors who move around the field helping rookies read drill charts.  These student leaders hold their sections and one another accountable and the band is better for it. And did I mention the alum that come back to help each year?!

On second thought, don’t tell me any of those things.  I am lucky enough to work with a number of motivated hard-working students at FDSH who are willing to be pushed, who will push themselves, and who want to be amazing.  If you don’t understand how I can enjoy sweating my way through band camp and “dealing with teenagers” there is probably nothing I can say that will help you understand because your mind is made up.

Yes, I am tired.  Yes, I am sunburned.  My feet hurt and I got more than 11,000 steps in before 4:30 today (for those of you who are into counting steps!).  And I can’t wait to get back at it tomorrow morning!  The FDSH marching band members are funny, talented, hard-working, and very “coachable.”  It is such a thrill each season to see the growth from day 1 of band camp and I count myself lucky to get to work with them.