Cypress bay high school sound of thunder & color guard
Sound of Thunder
Presenting: The 2027 Cypress Bay Marching Seniors
Isabella Balaciano – Head Drum Major/Clarinet and Tenor Sax, 4th year in SOT.
Aspirations: I want to leave this program knowing I’ve helped or inspired at least one person.
Favorite Band Memory: Making up vocals with my friends during parts 3 and 4 of Breathe.
Favorite Marching Show: Timeless
Advice for Underclassmen: Find an aspect of band you love. Getting better is about enjoying the journey.
Will miss the most: The elation that I get after having a great run at a competition (and the celebration after).
Carol Balza Maurette – Associate Drum Major, 4th year in SOT.
Aspirations: Become a Marine
Favorite Band Memory: Car wash washing and drying station with all my favorite senior and junior friends playing wavelength in between cars
Favorite Marching Show: Timeless
Advice for Underclassmen: You won’t always feel motivated and that’s part of the experience, don’t let your mistakes define you, learn & grow from them because at the end of the day you’re still growing
Will miss the most: The feeling of conducting on the field with my favorite ladies with me, and all the laughs with my friends on breaks or after rehearsals
Ava Wolfe – Band Captain/Trumpet Section Leader/Trumpet, 4th year in SOT.
Aspirations: Earn my Doctorate and become a Psychiatrist
Favorite Band Memory: Going to universal for the end of the season trip for my sophomore year and spending time with my brother and my friends
Favorite Marching Show: Breathe
Advice for Underclassmen: Don’t listen to what others tell you to be, make your own path and follow it!
Will miss the most: My section
Benjamin Vaquero-Morea – Percussion Captain/Drumline, 4th year in SOT.
Aspirations: Aerospace Engineer
Favorite Band Memory: The washing machine.
Favorite Marching Show: Breathe
Advice for Underclassmen: Surround yourself with people who will push you to become better, and enjoy every minute of it.
Will miss the most: My friends, Mr. Dawson, and Andres, who have been with me and guided me throughout my entire marching band journey.
Sebastian Martinez-Torbay – Quad drums, 4th year in SOT.
Aspirations: Industrial Design
Favorite Band Memory: The indescribable feeling of ecstasy we felt as we saw Dhruv walk towards us, holding the Best Percussion in the State award at prelims during The Light Within.
Favorite Marching Show: Breathe
Advice for Underclassmen: Expect the unexpected. Life finds a way to surprise with the most amazing things.
Will miss the most: The friends I’ve made throughout these 4 years. I’ll miss the laughter, the joy of playing with them and learning from them, and creating wonderful memories with them. They are all truly my family.
Joseph Del Castillo – Auxillary percussion, 2nd year in SOT.
Aspirations: My aspiration is to work for a fire department in south florida somewhere as a firefighter/paramedic.
Favorite Band Memory: One of my favorite band memories is definitely marching in general. It’s a wonderful experience that I hope no one passes up if they’re eligible and able to do it. It definitely left a mark on my time in high school and is one of those things I’ll never forget. But if I had to narrow it down to one thing, it would be percussion ensemble and playing the arrangement of “Real in Rio” for the spring concert.
Favorite Marching Show: He Who Is Worthy
Advice for Underclassmen: One piece of advice I could give to underclassmen is don’t give up and keep moving forward. You’re going to mess up. You’re going to make errors. You’re going to make mistakes. But we’re humans, and that’s what so great about us. We can make mistakes and move forward from them. We can learn from them and correct them. We are human, and we are allowed to make mistakes, nothing and no one should hold you back for one mistake. It doesn’t matter if it’s your finals performance or your first performance ever, you have to put in all your effort and remember that you put in that effort.
Will miss the most: I most certainly will miss my friends, Mr. Dawson, my teachers, and the people in my section because they are what keeps me here. They are why I keep coming back and if I didn’t get to march with them and I had to choose another section, I would not march.
Vanessa Cordoba – Front Ensemble (marimba), 4th year in SOT.
Aspirations: I’m interested in becoming a Business Litigation Lawyer
Favorite Band Memory: Finding out that we had made it to finals for Light Within last year was such a surreal moment for me.
Favorite Marching Show: Breathe
Advice for Underclassmen: Enjoy every second, NEVER take it for granted.
Will miss the most: I think I’ll miss performing the most, especially being surrounded by people who worked as hard as I did, and how it all came together in the end. I will definitely miss that.
Riley Willians – Marimba 2, 3rd year in SOT.
Aspirations: Join the Auburn University Marching Band
Favorite Band Memory: Barbra getting jumped in the perc is room.
Favorite Marching Show: Breathe
Advice for Underclassmen: Dont be rude, dont be stupid, and learn your music.
Will miss the most: You guys. Cause I moved away my senior year.
Taeho Ko – Vibraphone, 2nd year in SOT.
Aspirations: Mechanical Engineer
Favorite Band Memory: Winning #1 percussion in the state (best section by the way)
Favorite Marching Show: The Light Within
Advice for Underclassmen: Give your everything. It will pay off.
Will miss the most: Everything and everyone in the band.
Uri Toyber – Xylophone/Glockenspiel, 3rd year in SOT.
Aspirations: Marine Biologist
Favorite Band Memory: Being in the perc room and making prank calls
Favorite Marching Show: Timeless
Advice for Underclassmen: Take a break but don’t give up.
Will miss the most: The community and everyone being there for each other.
Emmy Rubert-Lujo – Color Guard Captain, 2nd year in SOT.
Aspirations: Studying psychology!
Favorite Band Memory: Playing volleyball with my team during band
Favorite Marching Show: The Light Within
Advice for Underclassmen: Don’t let the hard days get in the way of making memories with your people! 🙂
Will miss the most: My team!! They’re the reason I’m here, and the reason I’ll definitely be back to visit 🫶
Amelia Torry – Color Guard Sergeant, 4th year in SOT.
Aspirations: Family or criminal defense lawyer
Favorite Band Memory: Making it to finals during Breathe, we were all so shocked and happy, it felt really great.
Favorite Marching Show: Breathe
Advice for Underclassmen: Don’t be too hard on yourself when learning something new, it can be challenging but its important not to stress out too much <3
Will miss the most: Performing with my friends!
Julia Gini Silva – Color Guard Sergeant, 2nd year in SOT.
Aspirations: I want to have my own salon and grow my cookie business.
Favorite Band Memory: Performing The Light Within for the last time at FIU at state finals.
Favorite Marching Show: The Light Within
Advice for Underclassmen: Don’t let ANYONE put you down, get up, keep trying and be your best version.
Will miss the most: My teamates and the feeling of competing and celebrating toguether as a team.
Melisa Altug – Color Guard Sergeant, 4th year in SOT.
Aspirations: Become an anesthesiologist
Favorite Band Memory: Performing at FIU Stadium for finals will forever stay with me. One of the best runs I’ve ever had. I was performing but I was having fun.
Favorite Marching Show: The Light Within
Advice for Underclassmen: Don’t let the bad reps define who you are. Enjoy every minute of it because time flies by and you just go with it.
Will miss the most: My team! Being with staff they are way more to me than just techs. Getting ready for performances with my team in the hallway. There is just too much to say goodbye to . But as Winnie the Poo says “ How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard!”
Yadrien Pomales – Color Guard Sergeant, 4th year in SOT.
Aspirations: Electrical Engineer
Favorite Band Memory: When we are done with our performance and we get to hangout and eat!
Favorite Marching Show: Timeless
Advice for Underclassmen: Dont let people define you… prove them all wrong and keep working hard.
Will miss the most: The people and the great environment we have for learning new skills.
Aislin Hernandez – Color Guard, 4th year in SOT.
Aspirations: I want to study psychology while still taking part in guard, theater, and television!
Favorite Band Memory: During my first season, everyone was put on rifle and given really hard choreography, so I loved getting to see everything come together in the end!
Favorite Marching Show: Breathe
Advice for Underclassmen: Time flies by, so don’t forget to breathe and take it all in. Be confident; don’t let the light within stay hidden. You know you are worthy!
Will miss the most: The people. I love getting to rehearse and go to competitions not just because guard is fun, but because of the people who do it with me.
Luisana Gabante – Color Guard, 4th year in SOT.
Aspirations: Study architecture/ Interior design
Favorite Band Memory: In breathe, when we classified in the finals.
Favorite Marching Show: Timeless
Advice for Underclassmen: Always give it your all, don’t let anything or anyone define you.
Will miss the most: The memories and performing at competitions.
Makayla Perez – Color Guard, 3rd year in SOT.
Aspirations: Psychologist
Favorite Band Memory: When we made finals during Breathe in 2024.
Favorite Marching Show: He Who Is Worthy
Advice for Underclassmen: Stay confident and enjoy every single moment these are the times to cherish.
Will miss the most: All of my favorite people who I have performed and practiced with along the way.
Olivia Li – Color Guard, 1st year in SOT.
Aspirations: Forensic DNA Analyst
Favorite Band Memory: Tie-dying shirts in the rain during band camp.
Favorite Marching Show: He Who Is Worthy
Advice for Underclassmen: Show up on time, practice at home.
Will miss the most: Football games
Stephanie Wehling – Color Guard, 2nd year in SOT.
Aspirations: Becoming an Interior Designer
Favorite Band Memory: My favorite band memory is learning we made finals for The Light Within, getting back on the bus knowing that we’re about to preform at finals, the adrenaline, then walking on the field. It was amazing.
Favorite Marching Show: The Light Within
Advice for Underclassmen: Count! Preform! And have fun. The season goes by faster than you think, make the best of it and have fun!!
Will miss the most: Guard. Everyone in guard have such a special place in my heart and it’s going to be so hard leaving all of them.
Nicolas Alan – Woodwind Captain/Baritone Saxophone, 4th year in SOT.
Aspirations: Business
Favorite Band Memory: My favorite band memory was making finals for the first time. Holding everyone’s hand and hearing that Cypress made finals was a surreal experience. We broke the cycle and it felt amazing.
Favorite Marching Show: Breathe
Advice for Underclassmen: Always be the best version of yourself, and bring others up with you. The key to success is loving each other. House is not a home, but it is the feeling of comfort whether there are people around you or not. Keep loving each other.
Will miss the most: Something I will miss the most are the competitions. The excitement I always get while performing at a marching band competition is incomparable to anything I have ever done before.
Keiko Ito – Flute Section Leader/Piccolo, 3rd year in SOT.
Aspirations: Marine Biologist
Favorite Band Memory: Laying on the track with my friends at my first finals comp during Breathe!
Favorite Marching Show: Breathe
Advice for Underclassmen: Don’t be afraid to talk to the older kids (we’re nice I promise!)
Will miss the most: Going to competitions with my band friends!
Daniel Alvarez Silveira – Equipment Crew/Flute, 2nd year in SOT.
Aspirations: I aspire to become a lawyer.
Favorite Band Memory: My favorite memory was probably learning that we made finals last year. The emotion that could be felt in our waiting area was simply incredible and something I had never really felt before.
Favorite Marching Show: The Light Within
Advice for Underclassmen: Don’t feel too bad even if results aren’t good. Things are meant to happen for a reason, for every bad thing that happens to you a good will come.
Will miss the most: I will probably miss the end of season trip the most. Being able to share memories with the people I have worked hard with for so long is a truly amazing experience.
Daniela Rincon – Flute, 4th year in SOT.
Aspirations: Neurosurgeon
Favorite Band Memory: When in the light within show we had to carry a box so my friends and I started riding it like a car.
Favorite Marching Show: Breathe
Advice for Underclassmen: Have fun with every single moment, every single note, every single memory time will fly fast and soon it will end.
Will miss the most: Friends and competitions
Nicole Wu – Flute, 4th year in SOT.
Aspirations: Pharmacist
Favorite Band Memory: When we won finals after all the hard work we put in.
Favorite Marching Show: Timeless
Advice for Underclassmen: Try your best to stay locked and most importantly have fun!
Will miss the most: My section and friends
Tyler Chen – Flute, 4th year in SOT.
Aspirations: Make a lot of money
Favorite Band Memory: Years of effort and memories in late-night rehearsals yearly.
Favorite Marching Show: Timeless
Advice for Underclassmen: You’ll Always Make It Less stressful if You stay organized.
Will miss the most: Aaron Dubrow
Darielis Henriquez – Clarinet Section Leader/Clarinet, 4th year in SOT.
Aspirations: To pursue a career in medicine and hopefully become a pediatrician, while continuing to stay involved with music.
Favorite Band Memory: After performing at finals during Breathe 2024, I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so much in my life. Being able to celebrate with my friends after such a long and exciting day is a memory I’ll always cherish.
Favorite Marching Show: He Who Is Worthy
Advice for Underclassmen: Don’t take anything for granted. Work hard, but make sure to have fun and appreciate the little moments, because those are the memories you’ll carry with you.
Will miss the most: The clarinet section, my babies! I’ll miss performing alongside all my friends and the feeling of celebrating together after all our hard work.
Valeria Olvera – Head Uniform Quartermaster/Clarinet, 4th year in SOT.
Aspirations: Working in the medical field
Favorite Band Memory: When we made finals two years in a row with Breathe and The Light Within. Both years, I was holding hands with my friends, waiting to hear if we made it.
Favorite Marching Show: Timeless
Advice for Underclassmen: Treat everyone with respect, even if they aren’t a leader. Value the time you have with others— it’ll all be worth it in the end, so have fun!
Will miss the most: I’ll miss making memories to cherish and laughing will all the friends I’ve made in this program. Nothing compares to the friendships I’ve found here.
Angelina Ruiz – Clarinet, 4th year in SOT.
Aspirations: To go to college!
Favorite Band Memory: Universal trip!!
Favorite Marching Show: He Who Is Worthy
Advice for Underclassmen: go to rehearsal…
Will miss the most: The bus trips to and from competitions
Emi Valdivia – Saxophone Section Leader/Tenor Saxophone, 4th year in SOT.
Aspirations: To work in the media industry as whatever 😀 just as long as I’m creating fun things that mean something to people, I’m happy!
Favorite Band Memory: Making it to finals for the first time in 7 years during my sophomore show, Breathe 🥹
Favorite Marching Show: Timeless
Advice for Underclassmen: Don’t care too much about what others think. Life’s too short and this time of your life is even shorter!
Will miss the most: All the fun I had in this program that shaped me into the person I am today :]🫶
Maikel Marrero – Equipment Crew/Alto Saxophone, 4th year in SOT.
Aspirations: To be a nurse.
Favorite Band Memory: My best band memories are all the years being with the boys during the amusement park trips.
Favorite Marching Show: The Light Within
Advice for Underclassmen: Keep your head low… and you’ll make it
Will miss the most: I will miss all my friends and Mr j Coker.
Chase Vachna – Trumpet Section Leader/Trumpet, 4th year in SOT.
Aspirations:Keeping playing my instrument throughout the rest of life.
Favorite Band Memory: Emmanuel doing the blue shirt kid dance during wind ensemble (but really anything with Emmanuel)
Favorite Marching Show: Timeless
Advice for Underclassmen: Reapply deodorant and maybe bring clothes for the second half of band camp days.
Will miss the most: Noah Douglas
Afaan Tadimarri- Mellophone, 4th year in SOT.
Aspiration: Going home.
Favorite Band Memory: Eating McDonald’s with my homeboy.
Favorite Marching Show: Timeless
Advice for Underclassmen: Don’t be discouraged by what people say.
Will miss the most: I would miss the monotone metronome weirdly enough.
Memphis Niebla – Baritone/Euphonium, 4th year in SOT.
Aspirations: To achieve a degree in Computer Science as a major.
Favorite Band Memory: There’s a lot to choose from, but probably the second (not the first) time we made finals. The first was cool but the second felt surreal because I don’t think we expected to be there. We had to really work for it and it just felt super good when it paid off.
Favorite Marching Show: Timeless
Advice for Underclassmen: Just keep going! You’re going to get frustrated sometimes, but you just got to stick it out. I promise it’ll be worth it when that first competition hits. Focus on the memories with friends, but don’t give up.
Will miss the most: The people. It really does feel like a family, and I’ll miss bonding over Marching. No matter what, you know that the band in the end has your back, and will always be there for you.
Presenting: The 2026 Cypress Bay Marching Seniors
Mariana (Max) Aragon – Head Drum Major, 4th year in SOT.
Aspirations: Go into Music Education and hopefully double major in Clinical Psychology down the line!
Favorite Band Memory: Watching all of a National Geographic otter documentary on the way up to Park Vista last year.
Favorite Marching Show: Timeless
Advice for Underclassmen: Push through! The outcome of your hard work will be the most memorable part of it all.
Will miss the most: Having to endure whateverit is Percussion is doing on the bus rides back home.
Dhruv Bhardwaj – Percussion Captain/Syntehsizer, 4th year in SOT.
Aspirations: Business Consulting
Favorite Band Memory: Definitely winning percussion 4 times in a row during the Breathe season (best section by the way).
Favorite Marching Show: Breathe
Advice for Underclassmen: Don’t let other people tell you what you can and cannot do. You define your own limits.
Will miss the most: The feeling of the band blasting a big chord behind me and the time I’ve spent with the best percussion section in the world.
Andrew Lacayo – Drumline Section Leader/Snare, 4th year in SOT.
Aspirations: Veterinarian
Favorite Band Memory: Putting Benji in the washing machine.
Favorite Marching Show: Breathe
Advice for Underclassmen: Stay positive and enjoy it while it lasts!
Will miss the most: Working and performing with the line.
Pablo Garcia – Snare Drum, 4th year in SOT.
Aspirations: To become an A&P Mechanic.
Favorite Band Memory: Benji in the washing machine.
Favorite Marching Show: Breathe
Advice for Underclassmen: Go to class.
Will miss the most: All my friends being in one place at one time.
Carter Trang – Bass Drum, 4th year in SOT.
Aspirations: Jazz Musician
Favorite Band Memory: When Ethan was walking during senior night, and he looked back at me and I gave him a slight smile and nod, acknowledging that he was really leaving. We both ended up tearing up and crying after that.
Favorite Marching Show: The Light Within
Advice for Underclassmen: Play the music you wanna play and enjoy it. Spread your gift with others.
Will miss the most: I truly will miss the people. Especially Mr.Dawson, I look up to him from his musicianship to him as a humab being. I respect him.
Jeronimo Restrepo – Bass Drum, 4th year in SOT.
Aspirations: Metal band singer/guitarist
Favorite Band Memory: Timeless show FMBC trip
Favorite Marching Show: Timeless
Advice for Underclassmen: Put cans of drinks in your water bottle so you can have a nice tasty drink on long breaks out on the field.
Will miss the most: Football Games.
Gabriel Rivas – Bass Drum, 1st year in SOT.
Aspirations: Music Artist
Favorite Band Memory: Band Camp
Favorite marching show: The Light Within
Advice for Underclassmen: Be quiet, do what you’re supposed to, listen to your section leaders.
Will miss the most: The people.
Marlee Byers – Snare Drum, 1st year in SOT.
Aspirations: Musician
Favorite Band Memory: First Band Camp
Favorite Marching Show: The Light Within.
Advice for Underclassmen: Work hard, but also make sure to have fun.
Will miss the most: The close bond we shared and seeing my friends everyday.
Nat Vargas – Vibraphone, 4th year in SOT
Aspirations: Software Engineer
Favorite Band Memory: Holding hands in suspense while we wait to see if we make it to finals.
Favorite Marching Show: Breathe
Advice for Underclassmen: Get stuff done when you get it, don’t wait.
Will miss the most: Waiting for the band room to open while I talk to my friends.
Izzie Arguello – Auxiliary Percussion, 4th year in SOT.
Aspirations: I’d like to be a forensic technician, but honesly, I’m happy with something relating to science!
Favorite Band Memory: Hanging out and playing cymbals in the stands during football games!
Favorite Marching Show: Timeless
Advice for Underclassmen: Don’t take things too seriously, and don’t overthink everything. You’ll be okay :]
Will miss the most: The people and getting to be a small part of something bigger than yourself.
Mackenna Smedley – Guard Captain/Social Media Manager, 4th year in SOT.
Aspirations: I would like to go into film Management.
Favorite Band Memory: Definitely game days!!! I love getting ready with the team while blasting music in the hallway and the third quarter chaos.
Favorite Marching Show: Breathe
Advice for Underclassmen: Find the people that make you look forward to rehearsal, and cherish them.
Will miss the most: My guard babies and all the traditions over the years<3
Maria Gomez – Guard Sergeant, 4th year in SOT.
Aspirations: Immigration Attorney.
Favorite Band Memory: Being stuck in the bus for like 10 hours in FMBC 2022.
Favorite Marching Show: Timeless.
Advice for Underclassmen: Find joy in everything, even in the smallest moments, it goes by so quick and these are the times you’ll remember when looking back on your high school experience.
Will miss the most: Performing with my favorite people <3
Emma Russell – Guard Sergeant, 3rd year in SOT.
Aspirations: Though I’m not 100% set on my future career, I’m leaning towards the psychology field!
Favorite Band Memory: My first ever marching competition! I remember it so clearly, the feeling of performing in front of a big audience with my best friends.
Favorite Marching Show: Breathe
Advice for Underclassmen: Believe in yourself and your ability to do anything you set your mind to.
Will miss the most: My favorite people in younger grades the most. I’m so grateful to have been able to grow with you.
Adrianna Pierre – Guard Sergeant, 3rd year in SOT.
Aspirations: Neuropsychologist.
Favorite Band Memory: The finals run of Breathe was my favorite memory because you could feel the energy on the field. Everyone was just having fun trying to enjoy our last run and it turned out great!
Favorite Marching Show: Breathe
Advice for Underclassmen: Don’t limit yourself to what’s comfortable, always strive to be and do better in everything you do!
Will miss the most: Competing.
Sophia Santiago – Guard, 2nd year in SOT.
Aspirations: Musical Theatre
Favorite Band Memory: Hearing the full music of my first marching show for the first time. I can’t even describe how fulfilling the feeling was of coming together with so many different people to create something amazing together.
Favorite Marching Show: Breathe
Advice for Underclassmen: Have fun, and make sure to make the most of the time you have in high school.
Will miss the most: Having a community of good friends around me, and most of all spinning for Cypress Bay!
Joana Monteiro De Castro Inuy – Guard, 1st year in SOT.
Aspirations: Clinical Psychologist.
Favorite Band Memory: Getting ready with everyone and doing our makeup with music in the bathroom halls.
Favorite Marching Show: The Light Within.
Advice for Underclassmen: Don’t take the tech’s criticism to heart too much. They don’t mean it personally, they just want you to get better!
Will miss the most: All the friends I’ve made through this program so much. I’ll miss seeing them everyday and having fun with them at rehearsal.
Valentina Castellanos – Officer Manager/Clarinet, 4th year in SOT.
Aspirations: Study business administration.
Favorite Band Memory: Laughing with the clarinets on the bus to competitions.
Favorite Marching Show: Timeless
Advice for Underclassmen: Enjoy it! don’t overthink the little things, just be yourself, be king to others and make the most out of every moment.
Will miss the most: Spending so much time with my friends – especially Dari, Vale, Niamh, and Lara – joking around with them, and getting to meet new people each season.
Olivia Marrero – Woodwind Captain/Piccolo, 4th year in SOT.
Aspirations: To be happy and make money!
Favorite Band Memory: Marching freshman year with my sister.
Favorite Marching Show: The Source.
Advice for Underclassmen: Find a balance between work and play, and always stay on top of your work and you’ll be good.
Will miss the most: The flutes.
Joanna Chen – Flute, 4th year in SOT.
Aspirations: Dentist.
Favorite Band Memory: Late night bus rides after our “Blue and Gold” chant.
Favorite Marching Show: Timeless.
Advice for Underclassmen: Show up, Work hard, Stay alive 🙂
Will miss the most: All the friends that I made along the way.
Jaeho Lee – Bari Saxophone, 4th year in SOT.
Aspirations: Astronomer
Favorite Band Memory: Bus ride back from the competitions.
Favorite Marching Show: The Source.
Advice for Underclassmen: It’s all about effort.
Will miss the most: The people in band.
Gustavo Zorrilla – Equipment Crew Head/Trumpet, 4th year in SOT.
Aspirations: I hope to create videos and advertisements for big brands or make films that mean something to people.
Favorite Band Memory: All of equipment crew. Every year, whichever group of people, this group brings me the best time ever.
Favorite Marching Show: The Source.
Advice for Underclassmen: Get organized, get your stuff together, but remember to have fun.
Will miss the most: All of the connections I’ve made here. Nothing can compare to the family that I have here.
Emmanuel Luna – Libarian/Mellophone
Aspiration: Mechanical Engineer
Favorite Band Memory: Going into Minatos room in the hotel and pouring ice down his back while he was asleep.
Favorite Marching Show: Timeless
Advice for Underclassmen: Use deodorant before practice.
Will miss the most: My buddies.
Juan Fuentes – Baritone Section Leader, 4th year in SOT.
Aspirations: Computer Science.
Favorite Band Memory: First Baritone social freshman year.
Favorite Marching Show: The Source.
Advice for Underclassmen: Make sure you do not take things too seriously, enjoy your time. You only get four years.
Will miss the most: Rooming with my friends.
Victor Carrillo – The Webmaster/Baritone, 4th year in SOT.
Aspirations: Data Scientist/Statistician
Favorite Band Memory: Playing Hide and Seek in our room during Lakeside.
Favorite Marching Show: The Source
Advice for Underclassmen: Don’t take anything for granted. Time goes by in a flash, so make sure to live your life to the fullest.
Will miss the most: My friends and my section.
Kiarmary Roman – Uniform Quartermaster/Baritone, 4th year in SOT.
Aspirations: Working in Digital Media and Film Industries.
Favorite Band Memory: When we all made finals at the FMBC 2024.
Favorite Marching Show: Breathe
Advice for Underclassmen: DO YOUR DOTBOOKS!
Will miss the most: The thing I will miss the most is all the laughs with my favorite people.
John Li – Baritone, 4th year in SOT.
Aspiration: Engineer
Favorite Band Memory: That time when we made it to finals in Breathe 2024 and Stephen Sands ran up to me and hugged me so hard I could barely breathe (pun absolutely intended)
Favorite Marching Show: Timeless
Advice for Underclassmen: Cherish these moments.
Will miss the most: I’ll miss everyone in the Baritone section.
Eduardo Cornavaca – Contra Section Leader, 4th year in SOT.
Aspirations: Music Productions.
Favorite Band Memory: Winning “The Source” 2022.
Favorite Marching Show: The Source.
Advice for Underclassmen: Listen to the advice of your leaders, they will guide you to greatness.
Will miss the most: The moments before we perform at a competition.
Matias Florez – Tenor Captain, 4th year marcher. “You Almost Broke the Treaty!”
Favorite Hobbies: Build Legos, race cars, collect shoes
Future Aspirations: Become a Formula 1 Engineer
Favorite Band Memory: The battery mirror pic
Will miss this the most: The competition bus rides
Heidi Castillo – Uniform Quartermsater/Trumpet, 4th year marcher. “Don’t let anyone tell you what you can or can’t do.”
Favorite Hobbies: Soccer, reading, and sleeping
Future Aspirations: I want to study Sports Management and Administration at Flagler College to become a sports agent or athletic director
Favorite Band Memory: FMBC 2021 Awards Ceremony
Will miss this the most: The joy of winning competitions and celebrating with friends
Gabriella Gedeon – Marching Drum Major/Office Manager/Flute, 4th year marcher. “Celebrate endings, for they’re just new beginnings.”
Favorite Hobbies: Making crafts, spending time with friends, taking naps.
Future Aspirations: Music education and psychologist
Favorite Band Memory: My first competition at Flanagan in 2021.
Will miss this the most: My friends and Mr. Dawson!
Aidan Lacayo – Percussion Captain, 4th year marcher. “Enjoy the little things, for one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things,”- Robert Brault
Favorite Hobbies: I love to cook, travel, play video games, and all sorts of science experiments!
Future Aspirations: I would to love to work as a nanotech engineer!
Favorite Band Memory: When I got to carry out first Best Percussion award back to all of the percussionists after the Boca Competition. Seeing the happiness and pride of my section after we worked so hard for the last few months made me so proud to be leading a group of such amazing people, and that feeling hasn’t left since.
Will miss this the most: Definitely the people and the community. Band has given me a place where I’ve met my best friends, one big family of performers all working towards the same goal, and a place that I call home that can’t be replicated anywhere else.
Zain Abbas – Saxophone Section Leader, 4th year marcher. “Get good.”
Favorite Hobbies: Playing saxophone, weightlifting, videogames, and sometimes sprinting.
Future Aspirations: I would either want to be a lawyer or do something with science like biochemistry
Favorite Band Memory: Ocala FMBC in 2021.
Will miss this the most: Not being able to work with the same people again in the band classes and groups like the sax quartet.
Sabrina Salazar – Color Guard Captain, 4th year marcher.” We have the choice to use the gift of our life to make the world a better place – or not to bother”- Dr. Jane Goodall
Favorite Hobbies: Reading, writing, rollerskating, and baking!
Future Aspirations: A biochemist!
Favorite Band Memory: My first marching competition; lots of laughs betwen teammates and new begginings in the making!
Will miss this the most: Performing and the people.
Andrew Moreno – Drumline, 4th year marcher.”For god so loved the world that he gave his one and only son.”
Favorite Hobbies: Baseball, Pickleball
Future Aspirations: Marine Corps Officer
Favorite Band Memory: Lakeside ’24
Will miss this the most: Fun times with friends
Alex Ares – Brass Captain/Baritone Section Leader, 4th year marcher.”Tallest in the band.”
Favorite Hobbies: Biking
Future Aspirations: Computer Science Engineer
Favorite Band Memory: After winning comps, grouping at friends house and celebrating
Will miss this the most: My section (My literal Children)
Diego Luengo – Clarinet Section Leader, 4th year marcher.”5’7 stand on my money I’m 5’3.”
Favorite Hobbies: Tennis and Soccer
Future Aspirations: Neuroscience
Favorite Band Memory: FMBC 2022 winning 1st place in the indoor competition
Will miss this the most: Watching other bands after a competition.
Stephen Sands – Librarian/Baritone, 4th year marcher. “A shared joy is double the joy.”
Favorite Hobbies: Running, games, some drawing/reading
Future Aspirations: A nurse!
Favorite Band Memory: Jazz Band field trips.
Will miss this the most: Spending more time with the band buds, met a bunch more recently too.
Clemence Frey – Color Guard , 3rd year marcher.
Favorite Hobbies: Make jewelry, ballet, religious community, going out with friends, jewelry model.
Future Aspirations: Attorney
Favorite Band Memory: Meeting so many kind people.
Will miss this the most: The people.
Isabella Jaramillo – Librarian/Clarinet, 4th year marcher.
Favorite Hobbies: Walking my dogs.
Future Aspirations: Elementary Education
Favorite Band Memory: I don’t have one, I love them all.
Will miss this the most: Gabriella Gedeon the amazing drum major
Ethan Wolfe – Band Captain/Trumpet Section Leader, 4th year marcher. “Enjoy the little moments, cause you’re gonna realize they go by too fast for you to even notice.”
Favorite Hobbies: Pickleball, Computer Science, and hiking
Future Aspirations: Data Scientist
Favorite Band Memory: My favorite band memory is easily when we played red light green light in the hotel room.
Will miss this the most: My friends who are basically my family.
Guillermo Davila Echeverria – Drumline Captain, 4th year marcher.”Yes, we put him in the washing machine.”
Favorite Hobbies: I love exercising and making music.
Future Aspirations: I’m planning on becoming a firefighter.
Favorite Band Memory: The feeling you get every time before you take the first step off onto the field.
Will miss this the most: The people, especially the battery, they’re my family.
Krystelle Lindo – Color Guard Sergeant, 4th year marcher. “Don’t ask what I’m wearing. It’s from shein.”
Favorite Hobbies: Dance, Robotics
Future Aspirations: I want to be an astrophysicist
Favorite Band Memory: Clement chasing me then tackling me when I stole his cookie in front of the band.
Will miss this the most: The people.
Daniela Saffon – Librarian/Baritone, 4th year marcher. “You can live wherever you want to live. Be whoever you want to be. You have time.”-Aftersun
Favorite Hobbies: Watching movies, playing sims for like 9 hours a day and never again for three months, ocasionally picking up a book listening to music.
Future Aspirations: I want to leave an impact on people’s lives. Even if it’s just recommending a show or movie that they end up falling in love with or being with someone when they fell alone. Nothing life-changing, just want to be remembered with love.
Favorite Band Memory: Monday rehearsals when it starts getting cooler and the sun is setting, making everything a beautiful shade of oranges and yellows and pinks and reds and the baritones are all being stupid and laughing on the field (until we get yelled at).
Will miss this the most: Assata. All my friends, but mostly Assata.
Assata Allah – Trumpet, 4th year marcher.
Favorite Hobbies: Drawing and guitar.
Future Aspirations: Foreign Service Work.
Favorite Band Memory: The times everyone spent riding back to Cypress on the bus after competitions.
Will miss this the most: Daneilla Safon.
Ariella Kirshenberg – Color Guard, 1st year marcher. “You always got to bridge-it together!”
Favorite Hobbies: I love to read, watch 80’s movies, draw, and colorguard of course.
Future Aspirations: Anesthesiologist.
Favorite Band Memory: First run of part one during half-time.
Will miss this the most: Not joining sooner!
Ayanna Verma – Clarinet Section Leader, 4th year marcher.”Cause the players tried to take the field/ the marching band refused to yield/ do you recall what was revealed/ the day that music died?”
Favorite Hobbies: Watching and reviewing films, writing short stories, playing mystery/puzzle games.
Future Aspirations: I aspire to major along the lines of combining my math and humanities knowledge while staying involved with music by joining the orchestra at my college.
Favorite Band Memory: Screaming and getting jostled around the first time we placed at a competition freshman year and did our first “Y’all can’t stop that gold and blue” chant
Will miss this the most: Being able to put on our full uniform or to walk into the band room and feel like a part of a family.
Jacob Sheldon – Front Ensemble, 4th year marcher. “Art is how we decorate space, music is how we decorate time.”-Jean-Michael Basquiat
Favorite Hobbies: Playing and listening to music, playing with my dog, and hanging out with friends.
Future Aspirations: I want to work in all areas of music, from being a musician, to producer, teacher, therapist, journalist and much more!
Favorite Band Memory: All of the competitions.
Will miss this the most: The experience of being able to play with so many other great musicians.
Sofia Albornoz – Color Guard Sergeant, 3rd year marcher. “Keep on going with your silly dream.”
Favorite Hobbies: I like to crochet, bake, and play Roblox with my friends.
Future Aspirations: Major in architecture and also continue doing guard in college!
Favorite Band Memory: Last year’s FMBC trip! The bus rides, competiton, and amusement park all made it an unforgettable trip!
Will miss this the most: Performing with such an amazing group of people.
Meghan Cruz – Social Media Manager/Clarinet, 4th year marcher.
Favorite Hobbies: I love playing video games, reading, and making art!
Future Aspirations: I aspire to be a medical professional, raising awareness on global health issues, and doing clinical research.
Favorite Band Memory: When my section and I made a circle and shouted another band’s name while moving and laughing together after the Flanagan competition in 2022!
Will miss this the most: I’m going to miss my section, the clarinets, so much.
Parker Astley – Marching Tenor Drums, 3rd year marcher “It is past my bedtime”
Favorite Hobbies: Sleeping
Future Aspirations: Attend the United States Naval Academy
Favorite Band Memory: Watching Julian fall on his face trying to pick up a stick mid rep.
Ben Burke – Marching Tenor Saxophone, 3rd year marcher “Don’t do stupid stuff while doing stupid stuff”
Favorite Hobbies: Lacrosse, Ultimate Frisbee, being the Webmaster of the CBHS SOT
Future Aspirations: Attain an undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering at UF, UMich, or Northeastern, play lacrosse for the Israeli U20 team, playing in the Youth Club Ultimate Championship, and continuing music in college (hopefully in a wind ensemble and marching band)
Favorite Band Memory: The euphoria I earn at the end of a perfect run, when I am in a great mental headspace and performing to the best of my ability.
Camila Coloma – Marching Color Guard, 1st year marcher “I’m relieved that the turbulence wasn’t forecasted, I couldn’t have changed anyways”
Favorite Hobbies: Dancing, Drawing, Listening to music
Future Aspirations: Attend FIU and major in nursing
Favorite Band Memory: Meeting new people has been the highlight. There has never been a particular instance. Every moment that allows me to grow closer to others is my favorite.
James Griffin – Marching Trumpet, 3rd year marcher “in three words i can summon everything I’ve learned about life:it goes on”
Favorite Hobbies: Gym, Training Jiu Jitsu, Playing Pickleball
Future Aspirations: Study data science
Favorite Band Memory: first Flanagan comp in 10th grade, reaction to winning 1st in our class and third overall at the competition, made me understand the hard work we put in for two months prior.
Manato Kasagi – Marching Contra, 2nd year marcher “Haters gonna hate”
Favorite Hobbies: Golf, Volleyball, Soccer
Future Aspirations: I’m finna be a pilot
Favorite Band Memory: Probably the universal trip last year (w trip ngl)
Daniel Li – Marching Trumpet, 3rd year marcher “Maybe one day”
Favorite Hobbies: Band, Piano, Video Games
Future Aspirations: Go to UF
Favorite Band Memory: Universal 2022 Ben doing the Starman pose under the rocket.
Vin Liu – Marching Flute, 2nd year marcher “How did I get here”
Favorite Hobbies: Drawing, Cooking, and Photography
Future Aspirations: I want to study civil engineering
Favorite Band Memory: Band bus rides
Ryan McManus – Marching Drum Major, 3rd year marcher “STANDBY TOP TO B, TOP TO PAGE 7, ALL IN ON THE MOVE OFF THE HANDS… SET”
Favorite Hobbies: Full Swing Jazz Combo, Diving with Erika, More Band
Future Aspirations: I hope to be a physicist and continue to play sax for fun
Favorite Band Memory: Literally any time my friends come out to support the full swing restaurant gigs, everyone always gets to have fun during and after the performance.
Natalie Menasche – Marching Front Ensemble, 3rd year marcher “Sleep is for the weak”
Favorite Hobbies: Robotics, Ring Making, Model Rockets
Future Aspirations: My future aspirations are to be a mechanical engineer
Favorite Band Memory: My favorite band memory was sitting in the perc room with the rest of pit as Sabrina Arias was explaining the pit family tree using goldfish.
Tejas Mennow – Marching Mellophone, 3rd year marcher “You decide how you want to live”
Favorite Hobbies: Violin, Soccer, and Playing Games
Future Aspirations: To become a computer engineer
Favorite Band Memory: Competing in states last year.
Gabrielle Nicholls – Marching Color Guard, 3rd year marcher “You have to live life to live life”
Favorite Hobbies: Dancing, Cooking, and Sewing
Future Aspirations: I want to pursue something in the arts like dance and also pursue marine biology
Favorite Band Memory: Going to my first states with the whole band because I saw a different side of everyone and got close with a lot of them because of it.
Adrien Ozanne – Marching Bari Sax, 4th year marcher “Working hard or hardly working?”
Favorite Hobbies: Video Games, Making Legos, Mountain Biking
Future Aspirations: I would like to double major in music and engineering and combine them to go work at Henri Selmer Paris
Favorite Band Memory: Any of the band bus trips.
Dede Paleti – Marching Color Guard, 3rd year marcher “Pride is not the opposite of shame but it’s source. True humility is the only antidote to shame”
Favorite Hobbies: Track, Read Books, Cook
Future Aspirations: My future aspirations
include attending college to become a knowledgeable political scientist, making a difference through research, and contributing to shaping policies that promote fairness and equality
Favorite Band Memory: My favorite band memory would be FMBC of my first year of band and although I had my ups and downs, it was all worth it for that trip in the end. I had so much fun and made awesome memories throughout it. From the bus rides, to the theme park, to comp day at the gorgeous venue… it all felt instantly
worth it and I knew right then I was going to stick with this program.
William Perez – Marching Trumpet, 3rd year marcher “If you’re not making a mistake, it’s a mistake”
Favorite Hobbies: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Fishing, and Playing Music for people *outside* of Band
Future Aspirations: Attending college for music and being able to play with the best
Favorite Band Memory: The anticipation of playing the first note right before we do a marching band performance.
Remi Rabinowitz – Marching Color Guard, 1st year marcher “Scary news is, you’re on your own now. Cool news is, you’re on your own now”
Favorite Hobbies: Color Guard, Reading, Being involved in the Senior Class + School Spirit
Future Aspirations: My future aspirations are go to college and major in business.
Favorite Band Memory: That euphoric feeling of performing with your team.
Mariana Sanchez – Marching Color Guard, 3rd year marcher “Early is on time”
Favorite Hobbies: Color Guard, Volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, Robotics
Future Aspirations: I aspire to become an industrial designer
Favorite Band Memory: When one of my techs told me my technique looked like his when he was bad.
Macey Smedley – Marching Front Ensemble, 2nd year marcher “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard”
Favorite Hobbies: Chorus, Art, Crocheting
Future Aspirations: I want to major in fine arts and eventually work as a prop designer
Favorite Band Memory: Football games!
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