Years at Pacific Crest:
2013
Hometown:
Las Vegas, NV
Education:
University of Nevada, Reno
Siblings:
Younger brother, troy; younger sister, Karly
What brought you to Pacific Crest?
A friend from my high school, Sierra Vista, was a color guard performer with PC for two years (Brianne Tomas). I heard nothing but good things from her! She absolutely raved about the amazing Angela Tousley and about performing all over the U.S. I had been interested in marching a corps for a while, so I figured this could finally be the chance for me.
How has Pacific Crest impacted you?
This program has dramatically changed my life! With the training, discipline, mentors, and friendships, this program has taught me so much more than I could ever imagine. I am a better teacher and student; I am more creative and outgoing; I made incredible life-long friends; and honestly, I feel like I finally rediscovered my passion for this ‘sport of the arts’. Also, I was whipped into shape! I have never felt this good about my body and how healthy and active that I am now. This past summer trumped all of my expectations, and I couldn’t be happier with my decision to be a part of PC!
How have you applied the experience to your life outside of drum corps?
Pacific Crest changed my outlook on life. As cliche as that sounds, the constant duty to your team and to yourself, to be motivated to know your show like the back of your hand, to be flawless, to put everything you have into performance, to go to sleep in that hot stinky gym STILL thinking about your show, to just keep going both physically and mentally, and to ultimately have the time of your life while doing it all (or at least pretend to!) changed my approach to life. I have always been an optimistic person, but I slowly began to lose that after starting college. Well, it’s back! I have an awesome attitude towards every aspect of my life again, and, in turn, I am able to push myself harder than ever before. Nothing will get in my way of becoming an Imagineer for Disney! Unless I decide I’d rather build a new Disney park in space or something!
Is there something you’d like others to know about Pacific Crest?
For anyone interested in Pacific Crest: This past summer was the longest roller coaster of my life, especially emotionally. This was the toughest thing I’ve ever put my mind and body through, and I’m not going to sugar-coat that. There are going to be days you don’t want to be here.. a number of them actually.. but the things I mentioned above keep you going, and make it all worth it. The days may feel slow during that four-hour block after lunch, but the season goes by SO quickly when you’re walking into that huge stadium in Indianapolis for the last time. Learn and take in as much as you possibly can. Really get to know everyone (especially your staff), and smile through the hardest times because it’s contagious and helps EVERYONE have an amazing experience.
