Page 63 - 2019 UDMB Senior Will

a second in 2019 BT. Just remember this as old people leave and new people come. If I leave you with one piece of advice - stay open. Stay open to new ideas, and stay open with EACH OTHER. Keep the safe space that we created in 2017-18. Understand that we are all different but we can still have a damn good time together. We’re frickin’ crazy and absolutely ridiculous, we gotta be. As we get bigger, it will become impossible to make everyone happy and that is okay.
Rookies... band is what you make it. Speak up. Bring new ideas to the table if you think of them. Everyone has a voice. I love you all, and I’m proud of what you’ve done so far. I know you can keep making the section better and better and I can’t wait to see what you do next year.
Shoutouts
A few notes for some people who helped shape UDMB for me along the way, along with giving away some tuba titles that weren’t passed down last year...
Past Blue Thunder Members: Ben, Ross, Brenden, and John. I don’t even know if you’ll be able to see this, but I have to thank you. Ben and Ross - you two were the first to have faith in me. I never thought marching tuba would become a reality. I thought those guys would laugh in my face. However, you two gave me hope, and even let me carry the tuba back to Pearson sometimes to check it out. You were 2 friendly faces that made small gestures that had a big impact on me. Thank you for having faith, and Ross, for giving me that first lesson that made me realize I could do this. Brenden, you were my favorite dude my sophomore year. You always made me laugh and treated me like I’d been part of the section all along. You made me feel at home in Blue Thunder and I can’t thank you enough. John and Ross, my 2018 staff buddies, thank you from the bottom of my heart for the experience you gave me. I had no idea what I was walking into but you showed me the way. Through thick and thin (literally), we worked together in such a constructive way that I know we each grew from it. We’d constantly help each other improve, and you two pushed me to be an individual and to speak up when I wanted to. I wouldn’t have achieved all that I have without the faith you both put in me. Thank you.
Justin Dunford: Well, you’re Big BlueTM now that Ross is gone. Represent this title well. I know you have it in you! I know that things have become a little more difficult this year, and I understand. I see where you come from, with your good intentions. I only challenge you to take an extra step and think before you say a Justin sentence. You know what I mean, you laugh with me about it. We’re not 2017 Blue Thunder anymore, I know that you know that. Justin, you’re so fun to be around when you own up to your BS, and I love it, lol. Be Big BlueTM for the little kiddies next year.
Jackson Leadlove: I want to personally thank you and Justin for taking this ride with me for these past three years. You respected me and never looked down on me as if I was less than you, even though we were sort-of tuba rookies together. We were immersed in Blue-- or, Black Thunder at the same time and together we’ve seen how it’s changed. Thank you for being my teammates. Jackson, keep it up next year. And don’t be afraid to speak up and be confident, you got this, dude. You’re gonna run this show next year and I can’t wait to see you grow even more. Remember when I was intimidated by you when you were a freshman? You were a literal child. What was I thinking. I’m sorry I didn’t try and get to know you sooner, I should have. I’ve enjoyed getting closer with you and I hope we keep in touch in the spring, and Jacky too. I grant you the title of the Gang Leader. “This is it, gang.” Please make sure that this IS it, gang.
Maysi Salt: Girl, wow... how far you’ve come since I first met you at the 2018 spring game. I knew you’d make it in UDMB from the moment I met you. Through the hardships of this year, and the intense growth and learning experiences you’ve had, you remained strong in the end. I am so proud