Mr. Stephens' Opus

Do you remember the first time someone saw you? I don't mean the first time you came into the world, but the first time someone noticed and alerted you that they saw your talents and potential?

For me, it was in some point during the eighth grade. I don't remember the circumstances but for some reason I had to make a call to my sister's school and left a message with the band room. I thought nothing of the task other than achieving whatever was the reason I was supposed to make the call in the first place. However, the next time that I saw my sister's band director he talked to me and shared that he was impressed by my message. He talked about how clearly I communicated and of course he did a sales pitch to encourage me to join the band when I went to high school the following year. He talked about the different leadership positions and how he could see me being a leader.?

Now, here's the thing about me then and now. While I possess some strong leadership qualities, my natural introvert will almost always make me take a step back and let others be the star…unless things start to descend into total chaos. Another thing about me, I have lots of interests. And I wasn't certain that I wanted to do "just band" when I went to high school. I knew from the two years my sister had already put in (and our family as well) that being in the Waltrip Ram Band, was a true time commitment. And as I was still trying to figure out who? I was, I didn't know if I wanted to dedicate all my time to that.

Fortunately, I didn't sleep on the opportunity. And what I found was, things weren't black and white. I could not only use my extra electives to take art as long as I made it to the band room on time after school, but I could also play sports in the late fall and spring without missing a beat for marching band, winter band, and jazz band and all the competitions and tryouts throughout the year.

In my eyes (but not just mine) my sister was a huge hit in high school. I remember my classmates just staring at her in ninth grade when she walked into my Algebra class one day and called me "sissy."

"That's your sister???" they inquired.

I was officially cool by association. Beyond being called "baby sister," I also found that when I took classes from teachers that taught her, they already had a high bar of expectations for me to maintain. Except for Mr. Stephens.?

Don't get me wrong. He had high expectations for excellence. To know me is to know that he ingrained:

1. The importance of being on time: "To be early is to be on time, to be on time is to be late.";?
2. To give your full attention to the speaker in this room --to this day if someone is speaking and someone enters a door in the back or the side of the room, I rarely look to see what's happening;

and a myriad of other lessons regarding character including punishments and rewards for doing your best, or worst. We didn't become an award-winning and nationally-recognized band for being slouches after all...

But, unlike other teachers, Mr. Stephens allowed me to be myself and come into my own when I was ready. Historically, the band had many families come through the program over the years and with that, the younger siblings often aspired to once again fill the shoes that their siblings once wore. For me that meant facing the ultimate question of whether I would try out for drum major. The first year I could have applied, I didn't as I was comfortable in my role as the Secretary - organizing and distributing band uniforms and keeping detailed records. Sounds about right, right? My junior year leading into my senior year, I decided I would try out but I had a very specific goal:

I wanted to be the reserve drum major.

Not the head or the assistant--- roles occupied by my sister-- but, the reserve drum major.

I was clear about my intentions throughout the grueling tryouts. Do you know what it's like to do push ups on the hot concrete in May in Houston because the entire group didn't follow instructions? I do. Some people questioned why I would limit myself to that role. Reserve Drum Majors rarely wore the coveted white uniform or conducted on the field or at pep rallies - it could have been considered a role that had all the work and no glory. Some wondered what would happen if they didn't want to select me for it. I listened, but didn't waver with my goal.

It wouldn't be true if I didn't say I was shocked the night they called my name at our annual band banquet for Reserve Drum Major. I'd achieved my goal but really, the work was just starting. The reality was, the reason I wanted that position so bad was that the Reserve Drum Major planned the annual band banquet.

That task was something I was really interested in doing: throwing an event to celebrate the community of people who worked together all year.

And if you've never heard this story before I bet now you get why I wanted that role so badly.

I know there were so many other qualified candidates and I'm grateful I was selected because that role changed my life. I've planned so many events since then - all stemming from the confidence gained from planning an engagement for 200+ people at the age of 17.

I have Mr. Stephens (and assistant director Mr. Mondragon) to thank for that. No matter how many students and siblings walked in and sat in the band hall, he still treated us all like individuals. I got to be me and chart my own path. And this week, as many of us reflect on the impact he had on our lives, I'm so grateful for the lessons I learned during my time as a proud "band nerd" that made me the leader I am today.

Mr. Stephens, may you rest in peace and hear the sweetest trumpet sounds.?The lives you've changed for the alumni of the Ram Band by inspiring us to pursue our dreams and change the world are your Opus.