Stephanie M

There is a first for everything

Being the first person to do something is a crazy feeling.  I mean, there is a first for everything, right? You could be the first person to solve a math problem, the first person to play an instrument, or even the first person to win a gold medal in the Olympics.  It can either be a scary experience or an exciting one.  My experience was a little bit of both when I became the first person to twirl on the field for my high school. 

When I was first told I was allowed to try out for the position, I had no willingness to do it.  I didn’t even know if twirling on the field was something I wanted to do.  Even though I didn’t want to, I knew my coach would make me. She taught me a tryout routine and took me to the tryouts.  I practiced in the lobby until it was time for me to perform.  When it finally was time, I walked into the gym and got ready.  My palms were sweating and every minute felt like an hour, as it always does when you don’t want to do something, until finally I was told to start.  I preformed my routine and the band director came over and said “I’d love to have you twirl in my band”.  My coach began exploding with excitement.

“Are you serious?!?!” My coach and I were both excited considering the fact no one had ever been allowed to twirl at my high school before.  To me though, this meant the start of long practices, hot weather, and being with a bunch of people I didn’t know.

My first step in preparing for the year was summer practices.  At first I was excited because it was actually something for me to do over the summer instead of sitting around, plus a little sun is always nice.  As I drove down Titan Trail I began to feel nervous.  It was the first practice and I didn’t know what to expect.  I hardly know anyone being a freshman and baton was not a very common sport.  As I pulled in I was glad to see a few people in my grade that I knew, this made me feel more comfortable.  The first thing we learned was marching.  Sounds easy, right?  Well not for me.  It was as if my feet were tangled up and everything the band director said was in some foreign language.  When that was finally over, that’s when band camp started.

Everyone would say that band camp was just some boring, nerdy camp, but really it’s wasn’t that bad.  Waking up early was no fun, and zumba in the morning was not my thing but I managed to get past that.  The week was filled with practicing, games, and making new friends. We did things like make trampolines in the hallways, and sledding down hills on floats. Not what you’d expect at band camp.  It is also where I did my first performance on the field.  Band camp helped me to become more outgoing and learn to have fun in any situation. 

Finally, it was game time.  My very first performance had me nervous and shaking.  Luckily I had people there to tell me I was going to make it through, and luckily, I did.  Twirling on the field helped me develop a better stage presence which helped me in baton.  It also helped me cope with my stress and nervousness and taught me how to act in front of a crowd.  As games passed I started twirling in parades and becoming closer and closer to my new friends.  Every game was a new experience where I challenged myself to do better than the last time and learn new things along the way.

After twirling on the field for all the games I realized I was so appreciative that I got the opportunity to twirl on the field.  It prepared me for high school and taught me to be more social.  It also improved my twirling all around.  It made a more independent and responsible person and I am glad I gave it a chance.