A single step to a thousand miles

My band director quotes a Chinese proverb at the beginning of every marching band season. “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” It’s corny, but I think it’s true, and it applies to so many different parts of life, not just marching band. My journey in high school was full of first steps, in all different areas. 

The summer before freshman year, I didn’t want to go to the first marching band meeting. I had never committed so much time to an activity, didn’t think I could handle the physical demands, and was worried about meeting so many new people. Spending eight hours a day in ninety-degree heat with a group of strangers doesn’t exactly sound like the ideal way to spend two weeks of summer, right?

Upon first meeting the saxophone section, I didn’t understand their inside jokes and traditions. Why was our mascot a golden Thomas the Train toy named Jeremy, and what the heck was a “naked run”? As time went on, I learned Jeremy was our lucky charm and that the naked run wasn’t really naked (thankfully). 

Together, we created new jokes, started new traditions, and grew into a family. As I put more effort into marching band practice, I found I became stronger, both mentally and physically.

Before our first competition, I was anxious to perform, but by our final show, that fear had turned to excitement. Surrounded by the cheers of my fellow musicians, I realized I had found my people. 

When school started, I worried about finding new friends and getting involved. Sure, I had my friends from middle school, but I wasn’t always in class with someone. Despite it all, I was able to make friends, and join clubs that I’m so thankful that I was able to join. 

I joined Tiger TV at the end of my freshman year, and that group transformed into another new family for me. Filming and editing episodes caused me to develop a love of filmmaking. I’ve always loved storytelling, but I loved the visual aspects that film allowed me to have. Taking that first step into Tiger TV allowed me to develop a new passion, one that I’ll continue as a hobby after college. 

I ended up in Journalism by complete luck, thanks to a debacle with my schedule, but I’m so glad that it happened. I bonded so deeply with everyone in my Journalism class both this year and last year.

I was nervous to be in a class with no one that I knew, but I grew to love it. When it came time to convert the paper to a digital format, it was a scary task, and something I’d never done before, but I persevered. Taking that first step into Journalism, although unplanned, taught me how to persevere, develop, and create something new. 

As I approach the end of my journey in high school, I look back on those thousand miles, and all those steps I’ve taken. I’m not the scared kid I was freshman year; I’m now capable of persevering and overcoming challenges. I’ve made great memories and am proud of my accomplishments. When I meet freshmen who are as worried as I was, I encourage them to try to improve their mindset. 

This journey has been a long one, but I’m so proud to have come so far, and I look forward to where I’ll be going next.