Grace Gaghen is a section leader for the Marching Band who has had less time to play than anyone else. Gaghen is a junior who is very involved in school, with track, Marching Band, student officers, FCA, Jazz Band, and NHS taking up most of her time. On top of all of this, Gaghen has a large musical background, too. She has been playing instruments since fifth grade, including trombone, guitar, piano, and flute.
Gaghen is a section leader in the Marching Band even though she’s only been playing the trumpet since eighth grade. She is one of the best trumpet players in the school, even though she’s had less time to practice. Her hard work and dedication were another reason she had the opportunity to become a section leader.
“Being a section leader means to be an example for others who aren’t section leaders,” Gaghen said.
Even though Gaghen has to be a leader, that doesn’t mean she can’t have fun. It just means that she needs to be more mature in the right situations and when she doesn’t need to be because even though she’s with her friends, she still needs to fill the responsibilities of being a section leader.
“Being a section leader is just an extension of Dr. Curtis,” Gaghen said.
Gaghen became a section leader because she likes helping other people. Because of this, she stays after practice after people are gone to help other people. As a result, she adds in more work than the players who aren’t section leaders. In the Marching Band, there are lots of things that section leaders do, but there is one best experience that Gaghen has.
“Sectionals and helping my section become better,” Gaghen said
One of those players she helped is Eric Taylor. He is a 14-year-old trumpet with this being his fourth year of playing the trumpet. He also participates in after-school activities.
“I do swimming here at Francis Howell North and I’m also in the Marching Band,” Taylor said
Even though this is the first year that Taylor is in the Marching Band and the first year he has met his section leader, He likes that she enforces rules and conducts. Taylor was even inspired enough to want to be a section leader himself.
Gaghen is a section leader who helps and inspires others to do things that they don’t think they can do.
