“When I first got the position I felt nervous and happy,” said sophomore Grace Vivio as she describes her reaction when she had first learned Shawn Harris, Southmoreland Marching Band Director, appointed her the title of percussion section leader.

“It was a combination of Grace’s ability as a percussionist, leadership potential, and the respect she has for the group,” said Harris. “Grace has an outgoing personality and an easy way about her that allows her to get along with everyone.”

Vivio admits she did not know how to approach the position, even though she is familiar with those in her section and viewed them all as equal.

“A few individuals showed that they liked me being section leader,” Vivio said. “They gave me the respect I needed.”

Vivio’s section included Melanie Gillott, Jake Wilcox, Jake Stoner, and Torri Fasano, added their own opinion on their section leader.

“She’s down to earth,” Stoner said.

Wilcox added, “I think Grace is an amazing section leader. She has helped me a lot. If I had a question for music she would walk me through it and help, and she helped me learn how to march.”

“I find her very reinforced as a section leader,” said Justina Fasano. “She’s helping me learn snare for next year, and she’s the one that got me into percussion. She’s just dedicated.”

Gillott, a snare and mallet player, said Vivio “made sure all the percussion instruments were organized. She was very motivated to make me work my hardest and was a strong leader.”

Vivio says that one thing she enjoyed about being section leader was “meeting the other people who were from the other bands at the football games,” calling it “interesting.”

She would like to call the 2014-2015 band season with her section successful, saying that her best moment as section leader was at the championships competition where she saw the smiles on her section’s faces after they had finished playing their best show.

“Even though we didn’t win championships I still feel like they’ve progressed so much and to see them push themselves is why I think it is successful,” said Vivio.

Vivio says she will miss helping out her fellow percussion players, and she wishes the future section leader the best.

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Mia Rocco

I am a junior at Southmoreland High School, where I participate in Art Council and Spanish Club. When I'm not writing stories for the Tam O'Shanter I'm spending my time writing other literary works, such as novels and short stories, or zoning out to Pandora. I aspire to be a published author by the time I graduate and plan to go to college for creative writing.

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