With the 2024-2025 marching band season coming to an end, the seniors are beginning to feel sad, happy, nostalgic, and thankful for the years they’ve spent in Woodhaven High School’s band. The end of something special seems sad, however, it also comes with something amazing.
After the football season ends for Woodhaven High School, the Marching Band prepares for the events that occur afterward: parades, banquets, parties, concerts, and even more. Therefore, saying the seniors are finally done with a marching band could be a false or exaggerated remark. Most of the seniors feel like they are ready to leave, others say they wish they had a longer time to stay, and some don’t know just yet what they’ll do.
Drum Major, Amely Lora-Medina, states “I feel sad that it’s over because I enjoyed my time, but I’m happy that I can leave space for somebody new to have an even better experience than I did.” She not only will miss being with the band, but she is also ready to give up her spot to let others thrive in her place. This is part of what being a senior means, letting go of what you love to let someone else love it just as much or even more as you.
A low brass sousaphone player, Collin Devins, explains “It feels like I spent a whole lot of time building up to this moment, and I don’t know how to continue, I’m just happy that there is a concert band to continue with.” Devins is one of the few who doesn’t quite know what life will be like after graduation without being with Woodhaven’s band anymore.
In the pit, Vincent Mazzotta, discloses his feelings about the season coming to an end, in a way where he seems ready to be done, but not quite yet. “I feel like I did my part for the years I’ve been a part of it, and I hope from my impact that I’ve left the band in a better place than I found it.” With each year that comes along, Mr. Faryniarz always makes it a point to say that those before them left the band in a better way than when they arrived and that he hopes that the next seniors will do the same.
Trombone player, Tyler Shelby, exclaims “I’m honestly really happy, I gotta lot of free time now on my hands, other than bowling now, but other than that I gotta lot of free time now.” Shelby is happy that it’s finally over, giving him time to do hobbies and hang out with friends. And with one club out of the way, he can now focus more on his bowling team.
As one reaches the senior year, it is accompanied by a wealth of memories, experiences, and cherished moments, providing an opportunity to embrace one’s true self without concern for the judgments of others. With the marching band seniors bidding farewell to a place they have come to cherish, a new chapter of adventure awaits them.
