There is really only one adult that has influenced my life through all four years in high

school, which is my band director Jon Schmid. Mr.Schmid had taught at Merced High years ago,

but he took the band director position at another school in Madera for a while, returning back to

the Merced Marching 100 my freshman year. I think theres something special this year for my

entire senior class in band, and thats because we are his first graduating class since he has

returned to Merced.

When I began high school I was only part of the marching and symphonic band where I

played flute, my only instrument at the time. However, as I became more comfortable in high

school band and grew as a person, I had been convinced to join jazz band to learn baritone

saxophone, as well as the vibraphone in winter percussion my sophomore year. Since I had

became a part of three different areas of the music program, Mr.Schmid was more important in

my high school music career because I became a part of so much more than just a fraction of

band, since he directed band, jazz band, and came with us for all of our percussion competitions.

Of course, there wasnt always cohesion among Mr.Schmid and the band, as we would

sometimes disagree with him, or there would just be frustrations among the band, but he always

does what he can to make things better. In the end, all he really wants for us is to be the best we

can be and reach our full potential because he knows what we are all capable of individually and

as a group. But most importantly, he wants us to be happy about how we perform, and he urges

us all to have fun and make memories, because thats what being in band is all about--doing what

we love with the people we care about. He has always shown his appreciation for us, and no

matter what I will always have an appreciation for him.