Musician's Widow

In seven days, I will be attending my 10 Year Class Reunion. In these days, I will take the opportunity to look back on ten of my favorite elements of high school (in no particular order of importance)…

#7 – Miscellaneous Organizations

My letter from my jacket

* FTA :: When I was in second grade, I had this INCREDIBLE teacher who made a huge impact on me. I had, for years, said I was going to be a teacher when I grew up, but it was in second grade that I decided I would teach second grade. I wanted to be just like my teacher that year.

Then in fourth grade, my class had this awesome student teacher from the high school come over now and then who told me all about Future Teachers of America — an organization in high school for future teachers — and who said that if I was truly that passionate about being a teacher, I would need to be a member.

Well, we can all tell how my life took a whole different path, and I am not a teacher. I could still become one some day, but as for right now, its only peripherally on my radar. Despite my career goals changing in high school, I became a member of FTA, and actually served as president of it for a couple years.

I’m sad to say that FTA didn’t really do much. All I can really recall doing is having a few guest speakers at meetings and heading up the Toys for Kids campaign at Christmas in conjunction with the local car dealer. Then in the Spring, Senior members would go to the elementary school and student teach a class for a day. (If I recall correctly, my Senior year, I was assigned a first grade class for a day.)

Despite the lack of activities, I am still quick to point out that I was a member all four years of high school with the organization. It meant a lot to me. Still does.

My FHA/HERO pin

* FHA :: I think somewhere along the line, FHA grew to have too much of a stereotype of being specifically for women who, literally, just wanted to be homemakers. In fact, this stereotype can be best found in the fact that “FHA” technically does not exist any more… instead today called FCCLA: Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America. A change that, as best I can tell, occurred effective Sept. 1, 1999. (Once again, my class seems to have been the last one to slide through before a change.)

Despite the “homemakers” moniker, this organization (much like the Homemaking class — which, by the way, does ANYONE still have the recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookies we made in that class… those were the BEST!) was about more than cooking, sewing and home decorating. It touched on careers. It touched on finances. It didn’t care about race, age or sex. It was all-inclusive, and its an organization I am still proud to say I was a member.

My Sophomore year, I held office in FHA, and that offered me the opportunity to attend an FHA conference in College Station one weekend. While I remember nothing about the conference, I clearly remember riding the elevator the night before hoping to run into Little Richard, who was rumored to be staying at the same hotel we were. I also remember at dinner playing the game, “Who would play you in a movie about your life?” Someone suggested Julia Roberts for me. Anyone buying that one???

Okay, so sometimes the best memories are not necessarily about the organization… sometimes they are about the events that occur thanks to being a member of that organization.

* Christian Club :: It was a time in which prayer was being yanked out of schools. At football games, prayer was replaced with a moment of silence. Meet Me At The Pole was beginning to get national attention as a questionable thing to hold on a public school campus. It was a time in which I was a proud member of Christian Club.

Christian Club met every Tuesday during lunch (we had an open campus and could leave for lunch) at the Lutheran Church a few blocks from the school. Every week a church would donate sandwiches and chips, and a local religious leader would give a talk — consider it a mini-sermon, if you will.

Many were members were simply there to have a free meal. Others, though, took the club seriously and respected what was taught during that lunch hour. I still look back on those lunches fondly, knowing that it was my freedom of religion that allowed me to attend. And knowing it was one time in which people of all faiths came together with one thing in mind: faith in God.

Newly inducted NHS members -- 1996

* National Honor Society :: I proudly wore the NHS collar on graduation day. I had earned it.

NHS was not just about having good grades. NHS was also about community involvement. It was an organization that you could not be a member of in name only. You had to work for it. A certain number of community service hours had to be completed each month. Regular club projects were held. It demanded a certain level of character to be a member.

I did my community service, much like a vast majority of members, volunteering at the local public library. Each month I had to work a certain number of hours after school — shelving books, straightening book shelves, and doing whatever task the librarian had for me that day. This could get pretty hard to do in the busy months between band practice, UIL competitions, assignment deadlines, and other activities. I somehow pulled it off every month, though. And I must admit, I have a LOT of respect for libraries and their employees after that!!

One of our biggest projects each year was when NHS members had a “play day” and picnic with students in Special Education. Those picnics put a LOT into perspective for everyone, and it left me feeling really good at the end of the day. It taught me to be grateful for all my natural blessings. It taught compassion and respect. It gave wonder and love for a fellow human, a fellow student.

So often our Special Education students are locked away and hidden from sight. Our brightest, fastest, prettiest, and most popular take the spotlight time and time again. The picnic made those Special Education students stand out in the spotlight for the day and showed them to truly be special… showed them to need and deserve our love and respect.

All organizations taught lessons that couldn’t be taught in the classroom. Its in that fact that I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to be a member of so many organizations and activities.

In eight days, I will be attending my 10 Year Class Reunion. In these days, I will take the opportunity to look back on ten of my favorite elements of high school (in no particular order of importance)…

#8 – UIL

When I moved to Nashville, I received a harsh reality. UIL is a Texas-only thing. This was something I did not know, and I now feel compelled to attempt to explain what, exactly, UIL is.

Directly from the UIL web-site:

The University Interscholastic League was created by The University of Texas at Austin to provide leadership and guidance to public school debate and athletic teachers. Since 1909 the UIL has grown into the largest inter-school organization of its kind in the world. [...] The purpose of the UIL is to organize and properly supervise contests that assist in preparing students for citizenship. It aims to provide healthy, character building, educational activities carried out under rules providing for good sportsmanship and fair play for all participants. (link)

So, long story short, UIL over sees the competitions (both athletic and academic) between public schools in Texas, and it decides what school districts are in what district/region/area, etc.  When you participate in UIL, you’re participating in some event overseen by the organization.

My collection of medals from UIL events

I participated in UIL academics starting in third grade with “Ready Writing.” I competed writing papers based on a given prompt in a given amount of time through eighth grade.

In high school, I was introduced to UIL Journalism. For all four years of high school, I competed in News Writing, Feature Writing and Headline Writing.

My freshman year was, without a doubt, my most successful year. Beginners luck, perhaps. Or perhaps it was because it was new and I just gave it more time and effort perfecting the skills needed to compete at the top level. I won third place in both Headline Writing and News Writing at the District Level. I took fourth in Feature Writing that same year, and advanced to Regionals as an alternate in that competition.

That was the last year that my district participated in Regional competition in Kingsville, Texas. A five hour drive by car… a seven hour drive by school bus. We all piled onto the bus — atleast two to a seat, plus luggage in the Spring Texas heat. By the end of that drive, I’m not sure ANYONE was getting along with one another anymore.

However, at the end of that long bus ride laid some of my best memories of my freshman year.

Three girls in one King-size bed. Up late watching Nick-at-Nite (back when it was really good) and “Blue Lagoon.” Fatigue giving way to dumb jokes, “Lee King Bucket” and “Bessie the Heifer” for my two friends who will get that. A hambuger and fries for breakfast. And competition on the Texas A&M University – Kingsville campus.

I took fourth place in News Writing this time… once again an alternate for the next level of competition: State. Headline Writing was the last competition of the Journalism contests that day. A friend who competed in Editorial Writing had advanced to State already, and she claimed she wouldn’t go if I wasn’t going as well.

Time came for the announcement and we went in search for the rankings. I couldn’t find them in the area we thought they would be…

You know those moments in time in which everything just seems to go into slow motion? That is how it was, when I heard my name called down the hall and I turned to see my friend coming straight at me with #1 held up on her hand. I remember screaming and suddenly being tackled in big bear hugs… not sure if I should cry or dance around. First place at Regional Level. I was going to STATE!!!!

A few weeks later, I was climbing into the backseat of my sponsor’s car, heading to Austin, Texas. The school put us up in a very (VERY!) nice hotel in downtown Austin and we had a fantastic dinner the night before competition.

3A Second Place State Medal

The next day, I found myself right in the middle of the University of Texas campus, and I have to say: it is a beautiful campus! I ended up spending the whole day on campus due to the timing of my competition. But at the end of the day, I walked away holding the second place, silver medal for all of 3A schools in Headline Writing.

I would never again make it to State competition in my high school career. I made it to Regionals again twice — my sophomore and my senior year. My Sophomore year, I placed fifth in news writing, failing to advance. Then, in a cruel twist of fate, Regional competition in 1999 was the same day as my Senior Prom. Luckily it was on the Blinn Campus in Brenham, Texas. An easy hour and a half drive from home, and the school approved my driving myself to the competition. However, my mind was not on the competition at hand, and I failed to place at all.

I still have my medals on display in my office to remind myself of the things I can succeed in doing if I just put my mind to it. Successes that are now over 10 years old till drive me forward.

I, personally, think other states could learn a lot from the University Interscholastic League. The competitions it sponsors challenge students, offering both the sweet taste of success and the bitter pill of failure. It offers the chance to interact with students from all areas of the state and all walks of life while also giving many a chance to see areas of the state they’d never see otherwise (like I’d have never gone to Kingsville!).

UIL definitely offered to me many, many wonderful memories and stands as one of my favorite things about my high school career.

In nine days, I will be attending my 10 Year Class Reunion. In these days, I will take the opportunity to look back on ten of my favorite elements of high school (in no particular order of importance)…

#9 – Colorguard & Band

Setting up for band photo -- 1998

I still clearly remember going to pep rallies in elementary school and staring at the girls with the flags with great big hearts in my eyes. I was going to be a flag girl some day. I had to be. This was an important endeavor in my life. It was the be-all, end-all.

To be a member of the Flag Corp (or Colorguard as we came to refer to it later), you had to be a member of band. So when the decision came in fifth grade to be in band or not, the answer was a no-brainer. Yes! Yes! Yes!

I ended up playing flute in band. Throw out your best “American Pie” joke here, if you must, but, I played flute and low and behold I was dang good at it! My freshman year of high school, I quickly advanced into the top few chairs of the flute section. In fact at the end of the year, I sat second chair below a graduating senior. I was poised to become section leader, but my dream remained to be a flag.

Finally eligible to try out, I still remember the day that flag pole first landed in my hands. It was quickly discovered I had a natural talent for it! Nonetheless, I practiced and practiced. Few things had ever been this important to me.

It was quickly assumed I was a shoo-in, and I was on cloud nine. I was so close I could taste it. I was practically already being measured for my new uniform.

Friends hanging out in the band hall -- 1996

Tryout day came. I was in one of the last groups to go in to try out. I was a total basket-case. Fundamentals were simple and I nailed those. Then we had to perform a routine.

I still remember the routine was to, “What’s Going On” by 4 Non Blondes. The music started. No one has ever crashed and burned as spectacularly as I did. The routine I could do in my sleep became this huge impossible task to my arms. My timing was off. My mind could not get the next part right. There was no saving myself. I walked out defeated.

I obviously didn’t make the squad that year.

I was, in a word, heartbroken. In my mind, my whole life hinged on becoming a flag. I had talked to my mom at length about how important it was to happen for me. I really could not comprehend NOT being a flag… and yet here I was a sophomore and not a flag.

My talents playing flute quickly threw me into playing piccolo. A whole new level of torture and complement all wrapped into one shrill, tiny instrument. I wasn’t a flag, and life went on nonetheless. I found successes elsewhere, but my heart still longed to accomplish that dream. Another year passed and try outs came back around.

Once again, my natural talent for performing, flag in hand, came out. This year, though, it wasn’t so life-and-death to become a flag. I went into it with a clearer head and a whole new level of confidence. I went in knowing I knew how to do this. I went in knowing I was good. I went in knowing the world would not end if for some reason I once again failed.

Performing with the Colorguard -- 1998

The day of try-outs I went home sick from school. (I later went to the doctor to learn I had a nasty case of the flu.) I came back to school that afternoon to try out nonetheless. I had a 100 degree temperature, and I still remember laying down in the hallway outside the gym in total misery. I was so sick, and yet I went into the gym, tried out with all my heart, and I made the squad ranked third in line from the top.

I was ecstatic, but also a lot more respectful of what it meant than I would have been had I gotten my dream the first time around. I took it a lot more seriously.

The next two years, I performed during football season as a member of the Colorguard, and I spent the second semester still playing my flute.

My senior year, our half-time show was “A Chorus Line” and the Colorguard did the high kicks. I still remember the night we did the full show at half time. I still remember it all coming together so perfectly. I still remember the standing ovation we received from the stands upon doing our high kicks. I still remember that rush. Its one of those feelings a person never forgets.

Band and Colorguard took up probably a solid half of my high school career. You can call me a band nerd, I don’t care. The experiences I had in that organization molded me into who I am more than most things ever did in my life.

Playing flute after a parade -- 1999

My failure to make flags my freshman year taught me the taste of defeat and to not put so much emphasis on some that arbitrary. But my determination to try again the next year showed me how to never give up on a dream.

My time spent as captain my senior year taught me elements of leadership that can be ugly but also rewarding. It taught me to stand up for myself and for the people who were depending on me. It taught me elements of being an adult that to this day I rely upon.

Playing music in band definitely taught me a lot about music and all its dynamics. I definitely have leaned upon those fundamentals since marrying a musician and music literally becoming my life. And the friendships I nurtured through my days in band are some of the friendships I still have today. The memories and laughter, the victories and the not-as-great-as-we-hopeds, the pride and disappointment. These are all memories and lessons that I cherish deeply.

In ten days, I will be attending my 10 Year Class Reunion. In these days, I will take the opportunity to look back on ten of my favorite elements of high school (in no particular order of importance)…

#10 – Yoe Pride

CH Yoe High School -- 2009

I attended C.H. Yoe High School in Cameron, Texas. Graduating class of 1999. One of my favorite things about high school was what we simply referred to as “Yoe Pride.”

Before I could even begin to try to explain the concept of Yoe Pride, I need to give a brief history of my high school.

Unlike most high schools, we weren’t named after our town. We were named after the benefactors whose love for Cameron and the children within it made the high school possible: Charles H. and Caroline Yoe. (For the full story of this couple, visit the Yoe Foundation web-site.)

After C.H. Yoe passed away, Caroline gave the money to buy the land and build the high school for Cameron, where they had made their home together for so many years. In 1921 it was dedicated and opened in the name of C.H. Yoe High School. Our mascot became a “Yoeman” — a medieval archer similar to the character of Robin Hood (a yeoman archer). The original building, built in 1921, still stands, and it’s where I had a vast majority of my classes between 1995 – 1999. In 2004 a new high school was built on the same land.

Since 1921, in May, Cameron ISD takes a school holiday — “Yoe Day” — to remember, thank and honor C.H. and Caroline Yoe. On that day, officers in organizations in the high school, and representatives of every class — from Seniors through Kindergarten enrolled in CISD — come together to hold a memorial ceremony to place flowers on the graves of C.H., Caroline and their daughter, Laura’s, graves.

I sincerely believe that it is in this memorial, this moment of respect for where our school came from, that Yoe Pride originates. We can claim it to be due to our football team or any academic success we many have. But in the end, our school would not be what it is (and was) if not for the love of one couple for a town almost one hundred years ago.

C.H. & Caroline Yoe

To me, school is not just about what you learn out of text books. High school, much like college, was more about the experiences that happened in those years. Organizational memberships. Successes. Failures. Projects. Time management. And the pride of school that teaches one to stand for something.

My four years in high school saw a lot of changes begin. I remember growing up the many traditions that sadly began to fade in my years of high school. They were still there just enough, though, that its those experiences that I cling to most as a memory I love of high school. Because I know that the people attending C.H. Yoe High School today will never understand or experience those things themselves.

One of those things I think about is simply having classes in old main Yoe. Yes, today, Yoe High is new and has far more technology and opportunity for education than we had when I was there. However, I cherish the fact that I got to acknowledge how many had walked those halls ahead of me. It gave me a hushed honor to be there myself. It made me want to make the ghosts of students past proud. It made me want to make the Yoes proud. Perhaps that sounds a little weird or strange, but I truly felt that deep down in my heart.

My dad attended Yoe High School. My aunts, my uncles, my brother. There was a history there that I loved. Football games. Pep Rallys. Snake dance. Open campus.  Flame Pep Rally. The rivalry against Rockdale — Battle of the Bell that crossed the Little River year after year. Band. UIL. Yoe Day. Field Day. Outstanding Student Picnic. All these things fell under one umbrella: Yoe Pride.

And I admit it.  I still have it strong today. And I always will.

“On Yoe High”

Praise to our school we sing,
Each his loyal honor bring;
Together we the Yoemen stand
To spread our praise through all the land.
To represent as best we can, in all our competition,
And our hopes, our pride, our love compound in you,
Dear School

“On Yoe High” was written by former band director Francis Cox and Portia Kruse in 1942.