Finally...what you've all been waiting for...
Melissa's Words To The Seniors, Freshman Memories, and Plans for Summer!


Darin: Wow, there are a lot of things to say here. (Which is ironic, seeing as it's been over a year since we like...have said practically ANYTHING to each other.) But yeah, I think we both know how important we were to each other at that time in our lives. You really taught me a lot about life and what it means to be happy. It's been a long time since I've had one of those 6+ hour AIM conversations... Those were good. I'll never forget those. There are a few other things I'll never forget as well...but I've decided that I've learned from the mistakes and am glad to have made them, if only for the learning experience and the fact that I won't find myself there again. There's not really much else to say besides thank you for what we had and what I've learned from it. I can't say I needed to hear that I'm a pretentious bitch, but hey, I'm sure you're not the only one who thinks that. Have fun at Chapman and I hope that you are able to do whatever your heart tells you to do. (I'm sure YOU'RE capable of anything, there's just the matter of parents being unsupportive and whatnot.)

Matt: You awesome drum major, you! We love Matt! We we love love Matt love Matt! I'll miss your suppressed leadership (coughFerruccicough) and your friendly smile. You always made us laugh, even if it was because of your still-changing voice. You rock for being so supportive to the freshman and for being the musical God that you are. Have a blast at Davis and keep playing horn! You know that instrumentalists are sexy...

Jon: TUBA! You were my favorite leadership staff member. You're so friendly and happy and approachable and huggable! It's awesome! I'll remember you as being the first and pretty much ONLY leadership staff member for giving me little sticker stars for doing well during marching band camp! Thanks! I'll also remember going to see Fame and sitting with all of the marching band people and having a nice little conversation with you. I couldn't believe that I was talking to a senior! Haha! I know you'll do well in college and make tons of friends! Keep spreading your awesome personality to the world and you'll go far!

Laura: ASB President, Homecoming Court for Marching Band, Section Leader...you rock! Bassbone all the way! You are an inspiration to us all both as a leader and a musician. Have a crazy good time at Santa Cruz and keep being the amazing role model you are!

Dana: Okay, so maybe I've only talked to you a few times, but you're sooo cool! You're my favorite, crazy, wacko MSS alto! It was a pleasure standing next to you for graduation singing and hearing your lovely voice during concert choir! You have an awesome sense of humor and I'm sure you'll love college!

Brian: With your mad trumpet skills and marching ability, I look forward to seeing you in some championship marching band somewhere or hearing you play some mad solos for some philharmonic in the future! You're another leadership staff member who really welcomed the freshman and helped us all adjust to high school. Thanks for being such a friendly person and for making us all laugh!



Melissa's Freshman Memories
(Now I know I can't possibly recount all of them, but I'll go for a few...)

*Marching Band!! Soo many wonderful times with that group of people. I was really nervous coming in, seeing as I'd retaught myself how to play clarinet a few days before band camp started!! Then I REALLY wished that you could march an oboe. How wrong I was, though!! I bonded with my clarinet homees and hung out with them WAY more than my own friends outside of marching band during the season. I am so thankful to have met so many wonderful and talented people through the experience! I learned so much about the activity and what it means to work as a team in that short time. I only wish that I could have marching band in my life year-round!

*My first boyfriend. I think I wrote enough about that as it was all happening, so I'll leave it at that.

*Singing with Mark. Up until this year, that's all I'd known him as. I didn't even know his last name until a few years ago! Girls Ensemble has turned me into a girl with thicker skin and less embarassment. I've screwed up in front of all of you, gotten fed up with all of you, and suffered with all of you. Some of those long periods....yeesh! I think, as a class, we've bonded closer than any of my other classes. We have a caring relationship with each other that comes out when we're up there singing in front of everyone. We all care about each other's voices and how they've changed, and how Mr. Shaull hates some of us and loves some of us. We've all stood together, waiting for the G21, CC, and MSS lists go up. We've laughed and we've cried, depending on our voices and Mr. Shaull's mood. I've grown so much as a singer and as a person from these experiences. I can't wait until next year for Chorale, G21, and CC!

*The lunch crew. We meet for lunch every day in the 500 wing. "We" include: Me, Ali, Sarah, Sara, Marcella, Emily, Rachel, Eveyenia, Meredith (at one point), Molly, Louise...did I forget anyone? Well anyway, it's been great getting to know all of you better as lunch buddies. We've really been a tight group of friends, even though there are so many of us! We've talked about a lot and shared a lot with each other. (Me especially. I'm good at that 'sharing' thing!) We've gone through some traumatic times with friendship fall-outs and whatnot, but it's been a great year!! Babies!! Having a baby! I love babies, but not for me! Lunch bag quotes!

Oh, and THEY ARE BABIES!! I was right!!

*My first semester finals. And OH BOY were they stressful. I've never felt that on-edge in my entire life. It was seriously like 50 straight hours of being close to tears. I'm SOO glad my second semester finals were much more relaxed... and I'm forever thankful to that one person who called me during finals week 'just to talk'. MAJOR stress reliever!!

*Concert Choir and that that entailed. At first it was the best thing to happen to me since Marching Band and then it was torture. (For reasons that SHOULD be obvious.) CC really helped me understand what a mature voice should sound like. I also got to sing harder music and experience a large SATB sound. I also have fond memories looking back on camp now that I know a bit more about a certain person's intentions... (Thanks Francesco!! I knew all of that annoying 'tell me tell me' stuff would yield some good info!)

*Voice lessons with Paige. GOD I love that woman! Besides convincing me to be a music major, she's going to give me information about summer music camps and year round schools! Very cool! She's awesome. I think I want to be an opera singer. YAY!

10 Reasons to Date an Opera Diva

1) We know how to shape our lips.
2) We can baby talk to you in Italian.
3) We know MANY stories of love.
4) We have big boobs and know how to use push-up bras.
5) We know how to wear our make up.
*more to come as i think of them*




I'll update on summer plans later. I want to go enjoy the pool!

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