Lawrence Pong
What did your time in WHEU mean to you?
Once I heard that our band had won the Los Altos Competition Sweepstakes, I remember screaming and yelling in exhilaration. A feeling of thrill I’d never experienced before possessed me. At the time, I couldn’t identify why I was so overcome with emotion, but reflecting on my time in WHEU has taught me the answer.
Every year, I poured my heart and soul into mastering and refining my music and marching techniques, pushing myself to my limits. As a leader, I practiced music and marching even harder to ensure that I could be a good example to my fellow students. The answer to that mysterious outburst of emotion lies in the work I put in.
Whenever I won an award, I knew that the hard work me and my peers had put in had been rewarded. It all culminated in winning the biggest award a marching band could receive, Sweepstakes. That fulfillment made the work I put in truly special. I knew that with each step I took, I was helping the band prosper and grow into an award-winning entertainment unit. Looking back, I’ll always view WHEU as the most enriching and fulfilling experience of my life.
What have you contributed to WHEU and how have those contributions supported/improved the overall experience for all of its members?
After being locked away in a pandemic, the return to in-person school was disorientating. Fortunately, WHEU provided a comfortable environment where I felt welcomed. Every member and leader was kind and encouraging. When I had trouble with my studies or marching, I could rely on my leaders and fellow peers to assist me. The transition away from the pandemic was greatly helped by WHEU’s caring, friendly atmosphere.
As both member and leader, I dedicated myself to maintaining and building upon this sense of fellowship. I organized bondings between the flutes and other sections to not only help fellow flute players get acquainted but also to meet other members of the band. I created games during our August camp, which paired members from different sections and forced them to work together, slowly helping them get to know new people and familiarize themself with the band.
A welcoming community that invites all cultivates a sense of unity that allows our band to excel and enhance our performances. But most importantly, creating a stress-free environment invites the members to take risks and participate, allowing them to learn and strive for improvement. This nurturing environment empowers our members to grow and shatter expectations.
What have you learned from being a member of WHEU and how will you apply those lessons to your future endeavors?
SQUAD…HALT! As I confidently ordered my section to stop their command, I was met with unconfident, questioning stares. I felt my eyes wrinkle and my soul cringe as I realized my mistake.
I’d always thought that I was infallible and that peers were just detriments to me. Cooperation wasn’t the most efficient route for projects. However, being a leader gave me a rude awakening. My job as Section Leader was to teach and command my section. But more often than not, my attempts to give orders often ended in me messing up, leading to my embarrassment.
Fortunately, leadership also reshaped my perspective on cooperation. Where I messed up, my fellow section leaders stepped in, supporting and motivating me to improve. I came to understand that alone, I couldn't effectively teach and guide my section. However, by collaborating with other leaders we could effectively demonstrate and reinforce proper marching and music techniques.
WHEU has helped me understand that cooperation is essential to success. In my future endeavors, whether in leadership roles or as a team member, I'll prioritize collaboration, recognizing that it not only amplifies our strengths but also mitigates our weaknesses, fostering a culture of growth and mutual support.
