Julie Smith (Shaw) : Class of '00

Parade Sweepstakes win in 2000

I had no idea what kind of impact band would have on my life the night I went to freshman orientation at Columbia River.  I remember being really shy and hesitant walking into the band room for the first time, I wondered if I could play the music, let alone memorize it all. But I had seen Little Shop of Horrors and I thought it would be cool to be a part of something like that.  I'm so glad I decided to join!  That was an amazing year and an amazing show and one of the best things I've ever been a part of.  I learned to push myself to do things I didn't think I could.  To this day, I can still remember the drill for the opening number and some of the music too.  Being a part of something so great gave me a new confidence in myself I'm not sure I could have attained otherwise.  Over the years I went from that shy, hesitant, quiet girl to a drum major, dressed as a matador, willing to be "peed" on by a fake bull my senior year.  How did I let you convince me to do that Robertson?  I learned to be comfortable with myself, gained leadership experience, the value of hard work within a team, I learned to clap and yell freaking loud (still comes in handy sometimes!) and I became "Mighty Mouse"!   It was so gratifying and fulfilling to work along side everyone and Mr. Robertson and accomplish so much together each year.  I am so thankful for that time in my life, the friends I made and a place to belong. 

My favorite band memory is when we were marching in the Starlight Parade and it was a torrential downpour - like sheets & buckets of rain.  Every other band stopped playing (If I remember correctly!) but not us.  Robertson had us keep playing.  We had a BLAST because part of the drill had us break out of formation and go crazy.  We just kept playing through the rain and the people who stuck it out and were still watching loved it.  And boy do wool uniforms smell awesome when they are wet, especially a school bus full of them!  Winning state in '96 is also right up there, along with my first show as Senior Drum Major.  It's been fun strolling through memory lane and remembering the small things too, like painting the hash marks on the field, watching out for curbs as we practiced in the parking lot, doing our final run-throughs of the night in the pitch dark, sleeping on the floor of a random school gym or the feeling you get right before you play the first note of a field show.  We sure had a lot of fun.   
 
At the time, I don't know that I fully appreciated the ridiculous amount of work and dedication Mr. Robertson put in to make our experience what it was.  Drill, music arranging, travel logistics, uniforms, band camp, permission slips, chair tests, planning, instrument purchasing, practices, practices, practices, tests, chaperones, jazz band, winter drum line, parent meetings, fundraising, concerts, grades, band trips, tons of other stuff I don't know about and on top of all that over a hundred crazy teenagers… wow!?!  Countless hours, and lots of time away from his family.  I'm glad I get the chance to say thank-you now and really understand how big that thank-you should be.  All that work and effort impacted so many lives.  Really, what do I remember the most about high school?  Band.  Where did I learn & grow the most?  Band.  What teacher was a constant mentor throughout our years in high school?  Mr. Robertson.  So thank-you for the music, the marching and the lessons of life.  I will always be grateful.

Julie Smith (Shaw)
Clarinet: '96-'00 & Drum Major: '98-'00