I’ve learned the most important thing as a college student is balance. I’m constantly balancing the social, academic, professional, and personal aspects of my life so I can learn and grow while taking care of myself. I also balance when I’m marching in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum as an Alto Saxophone Squad Leader in the USC Trojan Marching Band! That balance is what helps me grow not only as a student but as a person.
Chemical engineering is an intense major with long hours of problem sets, labs, and projects that can feel all-consuming. However, music and marching give me something different, a space where I can lead, create, and connect. As an Alto Saxophone Squad Leader, I do more than just play my instrument. I mentor younger members, help coordinate logistics, and keep energy high at games and rehearsals. Sometimes that means running drills late at night, other times it’s rallying my squad in front of 70,000+ fans on game day.
What makes it special for me is the community. The band is a built-in support system, a group of people who celebrate victories together and carry each other through the challenges. It’s also a workout (marching with a saxophone isn’t light!), and a creative outlet that balances the technical, challenging world of engineering with something inspirational and energizing.
My best lessons in leadership and teamwork haven’t come from the countless classes I’ve taken, they’ve come from the field. Learning how to motivate a squad when everyone is exhausted, or how to adapt quickly when we encounter rowdy opposing fans, has shaped how I approach challenges everywhere else in life. The USC Trojan Marching Band keeps me grounded and balanced, and I know I’ll carry these lessons far beyond college.
