#conval high school

[themusicalrunner2-blog]

So I just came back from my High School’s band concert and I was honestly just blown away of how well they have performed! Words can’t express how great they have become. The numbers are increasing and the balance is improving. The Jazz Band was just....damn, son! Playing all the greats, such as Big Bad Voodoo Daddy!! The Concert Band also gave me so much chills, because their performance was wonderful. I was proud on their work on Harry Potter and Pirates of the Caribbean. Actually, I performed that arrangement my freshman year there and they played it EONS better than we ever did. Let’s take a moment to actually appreciate the Percussion!! That literally, blew me away. Just Bravo!! They won a platinum award for a reason!! The Concert was just Spectacular!! They are going to be AMAZING in the upcoming years.

I was also happy about tonight because I was able to hang with someone I was once close with. You can say we were close in High school, but we did go our separate ways when I graduated. But tonight, was just great. We caught up and were music nerds. As the rest of the audience was listening in pleasure, we were just there listening and finding all the chord progressions of the pieces, listened if the chords were in an inversion or not, etc We were just being Music nerds, and that’s the best kind of nerd there is.

The Concert was a phenomenal success (I am proud of everyone) and it was honestly, just fantastic to be around this person again. I wish we were more close now, but I’ll take the concert tonight!

[unclesamsmisguidedclub]

New Post has been published on Uncle Sams Misguided Children

New Post has been published on http://misguidedchildren.com/domestic-affairs/2014/06/marine-who-was-barred-from-wearing-his-uniform-at-graduation-dies-in-afghanistan/24042

Marine who was barred from wearing his uniform at graduation dies in Afghanistan

Brandon Garabrant wanted to wear the uniform he loved to inspire his classmates. He was rejected. He died in a roadside bomb explosion in Afghanistan on June 20, 2014.

Lance Corporal Brandon Garabrant was killed  in Afghanistan, along with 3 others, when a roadside bomb (IED) detonated Friday morning (June 20). His passing brings sadness to those who loved him. But it also speaks of an opportunity lost in the pages of time… forever.  Brandon’s High School had refused to allow him to wear his Marine Corps uniform to graduation.

WBZ Boston reported that ConVal School officials said high school graduation was about “unity.” They told Brandon they were “thrilled with his accomplishment,” but decided that he had to dress like all the other students. They were worried that “there might be other requests for exceptions in the future” if they said it was ok. And would that have been so bad?

Parris Island

Brandon graduated from Marine Boot Camp at Parris Island in South Carolina the day before his graduation from ConVal High School in New Hampshire. It was an accomplishment he and his family were deeply proud of, one they felt would have inspired his classmates. But they gave him a choice- sit in his uniform away from his classmates, or wear the cap and gown and sit with them.

No bending the rules, everyone must look alike

As local news media met with school officials, they all stated that it would bend the rules, it would have made one person stand out. Yes, I have to admit, that is true. The United States Marine Corps uniform is  attractive, and he would have stood out.

High school is about teamwork- sports teams, annual staff, choir, band, cheerleading, debate… in that context we can all see why they wanted everyone to look alike. But the US Marines, as all Armed Forces, is about teamwork as well. It’s also about strength, integrity, and honor.

The only “request for exception” waiting for the future now is the memory of a United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal who wanted to inspire and encourage his fellow students.  He was fiercely proud of his service to his country… his ultimate sacrifice was one he was willing to make for America. Semper Fi, Brandon. Rest in peace.

    .CPlase_panel display:none;