This post for my “Fridays Rock!” column is personal. My oldest son is saxaphone player in the American Fork High School marching band. I had no idea how hard the band members work until my son became a member. They work all summer long and once school starts they continue practicing their music and marching routines 10 plus hours a week. They spend their summer marching in parades while sweat drips down their faces, they perform in concerts, festivals, attend band camp (an intense week of long days in the Utah heat). Their are 200 plus members, 5 teachers, and a large color guard. They are a nationally recognized program and have performed in the Macy Thanksgiving Day parade and the 2nd Inauguration of President George W Bush.
Sadly this past week the band was struck with tragedy. While returning home from a band competition in Idaho one of the four buses went off the road and rolled over. The teacher, Heather Christenson was sitting in the front seat saw the bus driver pass out. Heather tried to grab the wheel and keep the bus from going off the road. Unfortunately the bus was not able to stay on the freeway and it crashed, sadly Heather was thrown from the bus and died from her injuries. Remarkably none of the students suffered serious injuries. Heather is a hero and saved so many lives last Saturday night. My son was not on the bus that crashed, he was on the bus that was driving in front of the bus that crashed. This was a very tragic situation. I have seen the community come together to recognize Heather and to help heal the band members who have been traumitized. I have been so impressed with these kids and how they have come together to honor this great teacher. You can read more about Heather and the accident here.
Here are a few pictures I had taken of the band earlier in the year, I have always been far away in the stands and on the sidelines- so they are not the best photos. But I just had to post some to salute this band.
by jami
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