When I was asked which teacher from all my years of school has had the most impact on me, I was stuck for a moment or two. I wondered to myself, who has made the most difference in my life? Next, I thought, who will I remember 30 years from now?
I knew right then I could never forget Mrs. Laradon Pilot. She was my band teacher my freshman and sophomore year. I played the clarinet and was in color guard. I remember in eighth grade when the band class went to one of the high-school football games.
I heard her band play and I was intimidated. I thought I would never be able to play like that. Then, I looked over and saw a group of girls in costumes twirling colorful flags around the field. I just had to try out. Cheerleading wasn’t for me, but color guard was.
At tryouts, I remember how much I learned in only a few days and to my advantage, I made it.
Mrs. Pilot seemed to always have a way to push me. She required band practice almost every afternoon until 5 p.m. It was the constant dedication and re-runs that made it stick with me. I never forgot my routines because I had performed them so many times. I caught myself numerous times marking time with my feet in school, at work, in the car, and pretty much anywhere else.
Mrs. Pilot would require constant re-runs until we got it perfect. That was what made the band perfect. My freshman year, we won first place color guard and I was so proud of myself.
Today as I think back on times in band, I wish I were still in it today. I loved color guard. It was my favorite thing to do. Practices weren’t always fun, of course. It was the performances. I loved performing in front of my peers at football games, competitions and the parades.
I will always remember how Mrs. Pilot would sit right in front of us at competitions when we performed. She made me so nervous, but I feel like she made me better this way. I hated the fact that I had to quit band for the Early College Program.
That is the only thing that I miss about Bessemer City High School, but I knew I had to give it up for my education. What I loved about Mrs. Pilot was that she never settled for less. She knew what the band as a whole was capable of. I don’t think I’ve had a teacher who has pushed me so much. I am pretty good about getting things done on my own without having to be told.
She has taught me that even when you are superior at something, it can always be improved, which is why today I am called an “overachiever” by my peers. I personally don’t believe there is really such a thing as being too good. I always strive for the best.
A lot of students who are not in band do not take it seriously. They do not consider band a sport. In my book, band is more than a sport. Mrs. Pilot would have us running more laps than the sweaty football players. She disciplined us this way. Band was hard work. It did require crawling out of bed pretty early, staying after school, sweating, freezing, and staying all day at competitions for numerous Saturdays in a row. However, I wouldn’t trade these memories for anything.
I loved going to competitions, I didn’t really mind the weather, and I survived the rehearsals. Band was a huge part of my life, and so was Mrs. Pilot. She is a great band teacher and is favorable in my opinion for her constant inspiration, motivation, and dedication to her students’ accomplishments. She is the teacher that has had the most impact on my life and will be remembered for years to come.
Rikki Bradley
Gaston Early College High School Star Student
