Saluting our servicemen and women on Veterans Day

Sooner than you think

By Allison Owen Each week something new and exciting happens in the drum corps world that keeps me thinking about how close this summer really is. For example, this past week a few of the show lineups have been posted. I love hearing these announcements — especially when I see that Memphis Sound is on the lineup — like at the DCI Central Championships in Kalamazoo, Mich.

For something that once seemed so far away, this summer is now really only a matter of a few months away. As each week passes by I’m reminded in some way or another that this is a summer I will never forget. ^This week I was pleasantly surprised to see all my membership papers arrive in the mail. I don’t know about you, but there’s just something great about opening the mailbox and finding a large envelope addressed to me. Naturally I opened it right away; I found a bunch of paperwork as well as the membership handbook. Being the eager person that I am, I read every single page right away. And I’m not just saying that either, I really read everything-including the parent survey form. Almost all of the forms are now complete; soon I will be official. Yet I still have to remind myself that this is actually happening. For instance, every Tuesday and Thursday we have a guard tech come in to help our guard class with weapons and movement. So this last week Amy and I somehow got onto the topic of drum corps — kind of funny how often that happens to me now — and someone said “Hey Allison, aren’t you trying out for one of those?” My first reaction was to cringe at the way my drum corps — my family — was referred to as “one of those;” but I decided to let it go because some people just don’t understand. “Yeah,” I said, “I’m trying out for Memph … I mean, I did try out at Memphis Sound and I’m now a member.” No one really understood the odd grin on my face after I said that. I know that eventually this state of shock will pass and it will become a way of life for me. But for now I still have to remind myself that my dreams are really becoming a reality. This summer is going to be here sooner than you think.

Allison Owen is a sophomore at Science Hill High School in Johnson City, Tenn., who plans to audition for a corps in November. “I’m in the SHHS guard and I like writing, dancing, performing, traveling, photography and having fun. As for after high school/college, I don’t know what I want to do … I just know I would like to do something dealing with color guard, computers or writing,” Owen said.

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