Dont Give Up
Halftime Magazine|September/October 2016

Encouraged by supportive directors, a struggling student overcomes personal and musical challenges to lead the band.

Diana Cervantes
Dont Give Up

My name is Diana Cervantes. I am 19 years old and originally from Tijuana, Mexico. I came to the United States on a Visa when I was just 10 years old, but it expired four years ago, making me an undocumented immigrant.

When I first joined the band at Northwest Community High School in Indianapolis, I didn’t even know how to put my instrument together. But within a year I was first chair, and then drum major. This is my story—much like my status in this country, it is still incomplete—but thanks to what I learned in band, I fight and work hard every day to someday make my dreams come true.

EARLY STRUGGLES

As a 7th grader at Broad Ripple Magnet High School in Indianapolis, I made friends who only wanted to skip school, and I got myself into trouble. My father decided to put me in an activity I didn’t like, hoping it would make me do better in school. My cousin was in band, and I felt like she was always “better” than me. I hated the attention and benefits she received while in band.

The first few months I was full of hate because I felt like I wasn’t made for band and was not good enough. I spoke to my band director Kelly Hershey about it, and her advice was, “Don’t give up on something you have never tried before.”

She put me in private lessons to see if I’d get better, but my biggest problem was that I hated playing the flute. That whole year was full of disappointments, and I was not even trying.

This story is from the September/October 2016 edition of Halftime Magazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the September/October 2016 edition of Halftime Magazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM HALFTIME MAGAZINEView All
Vandegrift High School
Halftime Magazine

Vandegrift High School

When Mozart composed “The Magic Flute,” he likely didn’t envision a 386-member marching band and dance company performing the famous opera.

time-read
4 mins  |
January/February 2020
Captain Of Her Own Destiny
Halftime Magazine

Captain Of Her Own Destiny

During my first season of high school marching band as a freshman trumpet player at Clear Creek High School in League City, Texas, I hardly noticed the four girls twirling flags at the back of the field.

time-read
3 mins  |
January/February 2020
VARSITY SPIRIT
Halftime Magazine

VARSITY SPIRIT

A major new player has entered into the marching arts activity. See how Varsity Spirit, known for cheerleading apparel, competitions, and camps, has already made an impact to elevate the student experience.

time-read
7 mins  |
January/February 2020
THE AMBULANCE ARENA
Halftime Magazine

THE AMBULANCE ARENA

Know how and why to activate the Emergency Medical Service for your event.

time-read
2 mins  |
January/February 2020
KEEP IN TOUCH
Halftime Magazine

KEEP IN TOUCH

Group management tools help band directors communicate information, share photos, videos, and files, and even manage finances at their fingertips.

time-read
6 mins  |
January/February 2020
TARPS ON THE FIELD
Halftime Magazine

TARPS ON THE FIELD

Used in various shapes, sizes, and colors, tarps help marching groups transform the football field into their own stage.

time-read
6 mins  |
November/December 2019
THE DRUM MAJOR LIFECYCLE
Halftime Magazine

THE DRUM MAJOR LIFECYCLE

From aspiring hopeful to drum major, from student to teacher, and from motivated to motivator, a drum major grows by leaps and bounds during her time on the podium with the University of Delaware and with the George N. Parks Drum Major Academy.

time-read
4 mins  |
November/December 2019
SPIRIT & SYNERGY
Halftime Magazine

SPIRIT & SYNERGY

With formations of giant stick figures doing the “floss,”

time-read
8 mins  |
November/December 2019
THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Halftime Magazine

THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

The University of Southern California ( U S C )Trojan Marching Band (TMB) has many nicknames:

time-read
5 mins  |
November/December 2019
REVIEWING GAME DAY SECURITY
Halftime Magazine

REVIEWING GAME DAY SECURITY

Safety first! Both host and visiting bands must join forces with administrators and security personnel to create a positive event experience.

time-read
8 mins  |
November/December 2019