So much to be Thankful for

Happy Thanksgiving!

While you're munching down on turkey (or whatever your dish of choice may be), here's me being thankful for the past two weeks! And here's why!!!

As I posted last week, it was finals week for band!!! I figured that my band needed some treats, so I made cupcakes.

55 cupcakes.

Baked and decorated.

In one night.

That's how we do.

Claire and I were totally twinning at school one day. I'm so thankful for and so proud of this girl. :)

We had our end of season family picnic the Friday before Finals, where we reherse from 3:30-6, then have dinner with our parents before doing a final run of our show on the home field.

Batgirl and Robin strike again!

Saturday was the big day, so we got to school a little early. My co DM and I hung out in our band director's office for a few minutes before the storm that would be semifinals.

It was a bittersweet day as us seniors performed with our group for the last time, but that didn't stop us from smiling!

A compilation of bus selfies :)

Now check this out - since our show was 20's themed, one of our band dads decided that the goolf cart we use to pull the rock band trailer needed to become a Model T. With a horn.

This is why we have the best band parents ever.

We were blessed enough to rock semifinals and make it to Finals, which are held at Tropicana Field.
(what?)
If you have no concept of what I'm talking about, it's where the Tampa Bay Rays play baseball.
(oh.)

Playing in the Trop is one of the best feelings ever. Everything echoes, and you feel like you own the world in those few minutes.

My directors had a bunch of faith in me, so they set me up to start our show with the opening clarinet solo from George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. Like, holy cow. It was so much fun to play, but that slide is killer. I was so worried that I wouldn't make it, but here's a picture from our Finals performance.

It's right as I'm about to hit the top note. I was smiling so hard, and I almost started crying. It is the most iconic clarinet solo ever, and my band directors trusted me enough to play it.

After our show (which was our best run ever), we went to the mall. Kirsten and I knew what we wanted - Chinese food.

Delish!

Also, peppermint chocolate chip milkshakes are back at Chick-Fil-A!!!

After dinner, we all headed back to the Trop for awards. We had a lot of time before they started, so our directors hung out with us on the field.

But once it started, we all held our breaths...

 And then let our breaths out when they announced first place in 1A!!!!

STATE CHAMPS!!!

With this years Championship, us four year seniors are leaving with three championships.
It's been a good run.


Picture time!

Besties!

Seniors and Directors!

Me and the Parents in the Trop after winning!

"Back-To-Back State Championshiiiiiips!!"

Yeah, we're pretty excited.

Just a bit.

Leaving the Trop for the third and final time as a State Champion. :)

So, from my band family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you have as much to be thankful for as we do!!

                                                                                       -SarahCate:D