Band on the brain: Member of school’s wind ensemble and jazz band, playing tenor saxophone and clarinet. Started in Mariner jazz band as an eighth-grader at Voyager Middle School, meaning she’s gotten up at 5 a.m. for five years to get to the 6 a.m. class on time. “It’s good to start your day off with something you like … It’s just natural for me to get up early now. I can’t sleep in during the summer any more. It’s ridiculous.”
Leading the way: Is drum major for the marching band this year. It’s a job she loves. “When you are up on the podium and they hit a really loud sound, you are pushed back. You almost fall off the podium. It’s very powerful.”
Favorite books: “The Giver” by Lois Lowry and “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury.
Making it work: Was a student government class officer her freshman and sophomore years. Enjoys Academy Senate this year. Is part of the Vertu Academy, one of six academic schools within Mariner, and likes working as an intermediary between teachers and students.
All that jazz: Likes to listen to all kinds of music, but especially jazz. Favorite musicians are saxophonists Stan Getz and John Coltrane. Gets funny looks from people when they see her listening to Coltrane cranked up in her car. “It’s something most teenagers don’t do. People will look into my car and say, ‘What are you doing?’ “
Fond memories: Being part of Mill Creek Foursquare Church and getting to play with marching band at the Orange Bowl in Miami her freshman year. Enjoyed her role in the school play “Summer Brave.” “I was the only freshman there, and I had to kiss a lot of boys, and they were all seniors. It was pretty nice.”
Rigor: Is taking four college-level advanced placement classes: government, calculus, English and chemistry. Also takes newspaper and two band classes.
A brother and best friend: Likes to hang out with brother Jon, who plays trombone in the high school band. “My brother is like my best friend. We have some of the same friends, and I’m his chauffeur.”
College plans: Could double major in science, perhaps chemistry, and music. Considering University of Washington, Pacific Lutheran, New York University, Southern California and Arizona State.
Beyond college: “I want to be, like, a scientist by day and musician by night. I love jazz music. I never will give it up. I just like jamming with people.”
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