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Subject: Re: Qualities/Traits/Disciplines learned from being in the Ram Band Author: Jason (Jay) Rogers [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] Date Posted: 16:54:22 02/07/03 Fri In reply to: Diego Pena 's message, "Re: Qualities/Traits/Disciplines learned from being in the Ram Band" on 23:08:53 02/02/03 Sun This is a crossover between what I learned and Immortal Ram Band Moments. My Thesis: You girls were tough! My Defense: We were all soldiers out there on the practice field; early morning practices, mid-afternoon practices, in really dire circumstances, after school practices, the pre-game run through. Drilling, marching, playing in all extremes of weather, readying ourselves for the battle on Friday night because when it was our turn we were going to BLOW THE OTHER BAND OFF THE FIELD! Many of the non-band girls were fragile, fixy flowers that would wilt at the mention of the noonday sun but you marched shoulder to shoulder, squad to squad, so dedicated that at least in my mind it changed my preconceived notions of gender expectations. I know that women don't sweat, they perspire, or even "glow", but there was an awful lot of "glowing" out there on the practice field. Afterwards you pulled yourselves together and headed to class with your glow still on. There was a New Year’s party while we were in California for the Tournament of Roses Parade and we had been encouraged to bring some dress clothes for the occasion. I will be the first to admit it: guys are goons at that late adolescent stage. We can clean up ok in a suit and tie but you girls give us the benefit of the doubt, probably looking at the raw material and sizing up the potential for the end product years down the line. When I went into the party that night I was stunned: who were all these goddesses, so resplendent, so delicate, so poised? The transformation from soldier to supermodel was incredible. I gained more respect for your resiliency flavored by your femininity during those years, and especially that night. Living up here in New England I still flummox people with my Southern manners, opening doors, assisting women into their seats, assistance with packages, courteous address, friendly smiles, but these actions are to show respect, not to demean or denigrate you as second class citizens. A man’s instinct is to protect a woman, to elevate rather than subjugate, to smooth her path, as it were. You showed everyone through your hard work and effort that you could take it and dish it out with gusto. Thank you for so many wonderful memories and life’s lessons. [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

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[> [> [> Subject: Re: Qualities/Traits/Disciplines learned from being in the Ram Band Author: Jana Munson [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 00:38:11 02/10/03 Mon Wow! What a lovely thing to say! I'm so touched! After a tough week with classrooms full of disgruntled high school kids (because I'm calling them on the carpet for their use of crass language in the classroom) reading these gentle words were so refreshing - thank-you! Even tho my job description says I am a biology teacher, as teachers we are also supposed to be incorporating character education into our classrooms. I am trying to encourage these young people to conduct themselves like young ladies & gentlemen. It was nice to read that someone else still has "old school" beliefs/habits. Sometimes I think civility & social manners are a lost art. I, too, remember the futile efforts of trying to appear "fresh as a daisy" in spite of all that "glowing!" But I wouldn't trade my experience for all the "perfect hair days" in the world! I don't think I can recount all the valuable lessons I learned as a result of being under Mr. Kuentz's guiding hand. They are as ingrained a feature in me as my freckles. They are the fabric of who I am. I had character education in spades! I learned to have pride, but not to be prideful. (I still remember the mirror hanging over the doorway leading out of our band locker area into the main hallway that reminded us, "Is your pride showing?") I learned to work as a team. I learned to have high goals & to work hard to attain them. I learned to gain from my mistakes. I learned to support & encourage others. I learned to never give up. I learned that I wasn't the center of the universe & what it meant to be part of something that was bigger than myself. I learned integrity. I learned to sacrifice. I learned honesty. I learned the importance & value of a good work ethic. I learned that my actions reflected on more than just me. I learned leadership skills. I learned confidence without being bragidocious. I learned to be humble. I learned to let my actions speak louder than my words. I learned, I learned, I learned,.... All of these lessons, & more, got me thru college, relationships, & employment. They are as applicable now as ever. My husband was in the corp of cadets at Texas A&M & he has said that band was my "corp," as these were the same lessons he learned from being in the corp of cadets. (And if anyone out there knows a former Aggie cadet, they know what a significant statement that is!) I am a better person for having been instructed by Mr. Kuentz. The seeds that were planted in my character by my parents were watered by Mr. Kuentz. He helped to prune the developing young plant that was my character until it was strong enough to withstand both sunshine & rain, cool breezes & stormy weather. I will be forever grateful. Oh, yeah - and I learned a little music & how to march in step & in line (most of the time)! :) [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> Subject: Re: Qualities/Traits/Disciplines learned from being in the Ram Band Author: Juli Perry Briggs [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 15:41:58 03/25/03 Tue Jay, ee gads, I'm blown away by your prosaic description of what you recall about us band gals. There always was a truly interesting relationship between the collective members of the sexes in Ram Band. Recall when we girls made Spirit Boxes for the fellas? I labored for hours to make Brian Wilson, God rest him, an iced cake shaped like a trumpet. It was clear to me even several years after we moved on from HS that he had been touched by this action. But trying to be a girl in Stage Band, now that's another story. Ugh, I specifically remember being left out when the guys made plans to attend the Chicago concert... forgiven, but it will be easier to forget if that group ever goes on a revival tour, so I can check it off my list of things that I still MUST do before they put me six feet under. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]