While focusing on one or two particular extracurricular activities while in high school is sufficient for many students, for senior Zoey Clark, one or two are not enough. Aside from being involved in NHS and the treasurer of Key Club, Zoey is a member of the Viking band and plays on the varsity soccer team.
“[I’ve been in band for] seven years, and I play the french horn,” Zoey said. “Both my sisters were in band, and I like the idea of making music.”
Zoey has established strong friendships with fellow band members who started with her in middle school band. Zoey said that their common interests in making music has strengthened their relationships over the years.
“When I met [my friends], we were all sixth graders, and we had no idea what was going on,” Zoey said. “It’s been really cool to see everybody grow up. Whether band helped them or not, staying together in this one organization has really kept us strong.”
The band practices extensively behind the scenes for their performances. In the summer, they begin practicing in the scorching sun a month before school starts to prepare for football season. After football season, the band often collaborates with orchestra and choir for musicals, and although this can be exhausting, Zoey finds inspiration in what she is working for.
“We practice every day for two hours during fourth period, and if we have an extracurricular event like musical or an orchestra event, we practice probably like three times during the week [outside of school],” Zoey said. “Being able to listen to what you’re creating and the music that is coming out of all of the instruments that you’re putting together is really cool. When we get a really fun piece that everyone likes and there are solos for everyone, even the audience gets excited by it. It’s really fun.”
Not only is Zoey a member of band, but she is president as well, a leadership position that requires an even greater time commitment to band.
“I organize events like parties and middle school band night,” Zoey said. “I’m in charge of leadership, who during marching band are basically like the directors. We help the kids learn how to march and keep them disciplined. People come to me when they don’t want to talk to the directors, so I have to delegate and keep everything organized. I have to have a lot of discipline because I’m in that position of authority.”
Since middle school, Zoey has also played soccer in and out of school. Today, Zoey is a star on the varsity girls soccer team, and she says it is a great way to help her wind down from her busy schedule.
“I’m hyper and active, and I need to be doing something,” Zoey said. “Soccer is really fun. You just run around and kick the ball with friends.”
In addition to Zoey’s activities at school, she is involved in Symphony Bells, a community service organization that ushers the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra, and plays ultimate frisbee recreationally. Zoey said that although it is at times challenging to juggle all of her activities, she has developed useful skills along the way that have made her active lifestyle easier.
“It’s hard, but it’s [mainly about] managing time, which I’m still working on,” Zoey said. “[You have] to pick which [activity] is the most important at the time and just focus on what event is going on or what needs to be done first. You have to want to do everything that you’re doing and try hard for it.”
