As a child, I was an endless dreamer, with a boundless imagination and a heart full of curiosity. My days were filled with wonder as I gazed at the world through innocent eyes. I envisioned a life of endless possibilities, brimming with excitement and adventure. My dreams knew no limits. And my parents instilled the mindset that anything was possible with determination and hard work – and making good choices.
Our life is a result of the series of choices we make. But those choices are often, without our really knowing, a result of the influences we have had. The foundation of my leadership, focus on teamwork, and dedication to excellence started very young as a marching arts performer.
When I was 6, my sister Kathy marched in a baton corps and my parents were very involved helping the organization. I was too little to stay home alone, so I joined in and got to march as a banner helper in the parades. Not sure how much choice I had at the time, but nevertheless, it was the start of my time in the world of performing arts. My parents also enjoyed watching drum and bugle corps. In the early 1970’s, my mom still recalls the night I was watching a competition and told her that “someday I’m going to do that” right before I fell asleep in the stadium bleachers.
Drum corps and marching band became a staple in my life. At the age of 10, I joined a small junior drum and bugle corps called the Royal Knights Cadets. I participated for six years, performing around the midwest. I learned the value of discipline, commitment and contributing my part to a team in the pursuit of excellence. And I made some amazing friends and memories. I had leaders like Rick, my first corps director with the Royal Knights Cadets, who inspired us to do better, held us accountable, and created an environment for personal growth. We made mistakes, like all kids do. But I learned to course correct and adapt to change. My first color guard instructors Bobby, Sue and Linda put me in the featured section on rifle, teaching me a new skill that I needed to work really hard at, showing me their faith in my ability to succeed.
The experience introduced me to what was possible. I spent those summers watching some amazing performers and dreaming that one day I would be a part of the Santa Clara Vanguard, one of the most prestigious drum and bugle corps in the country.
In high school I was part of the marching band color guard, where I got my first real leadership experience. As a performer and member, I had the opportunity to teach and lead my peers. At the age of 16, that was a heavy load! However, it was the first step in my leadership journey, and I was thankful the band directors extended trust and gave me the chance.
But I never forgot my dream. While attending college at the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater, I marched in the band and shared my dream of being a member of the Santa Clara Vanguard. Early in my freshman year, I nervously reached out to the organization to learn about the audition process, saved money to make the trip to California, and began to practice. I learned that sharing my goals with others created an amazing environment of support. My instructor, Dave, gave me encouragement and helped me get to the audition. My friend, Lori, gave me feedback as I prepared for the audition every night for weeks. I surely had spent years getting ready for this opportunity, but the last steps to achieve my goal were not done alone.
My dorm friends nervously crowded around me when the call came in about my audition results. I made it! My dreams were going to come true! I packed up at the end of the fall semester with an amazing send off and well wishes for success. In a leap of faith I left small town Wisconsin and headed to the big city of San Jose, California!
I spent three years as part of the Santa Clara Vanguard drum and bugle corps – which forever changed my life. I learned from some of the best in the drum corps activity, pushed myself harder than I ever thought possible, and was fortunate to be part of a world class organization that created an environment for success. My color guard instructor, Sheri, was an amazing role model, not just teaching technique but how to handle the pressure and expectation that went along with being part of the best in the nation. My color guard captains, sisters Christine and Kathy, showed me how to lead your peers while they were just 21. I participated with people from all over the country , all with the same dream. And I learned to depend on my ability to achieve. I never won a national championship with the Vanguard, but I was just “oh so close” twice. Being second was hard, but it created a fire inside me to work harder and be better every day – never giving up on perfecting every little detail. But honestly, my dream was never to win a championship. It was to be part of an organization I admired for their class, excellence, and innovation. And I had done what I set out to do.
Those cherished childhood experiences shaped the person I am today. My sister’s interests opened my eyes to something new. My mom introduced me to an activity that became my passion. People along the way provided guidance, instruction and motivation, building the foundation for success and making my dreams possible. The support of others in preparing to pursue my dreams showed me that we don’t get there alone. But my choice to take a risk and leave the security of home for the unknown was the culmination of those influences. As John Maxwell refers to in the Law of Trade-Offs, “sometimes you have to give up to grow up”.
Our choices in life prepare us for the opportunities ahead. Having goals and dreams is important. They serve as our guiding light and give us direction as we make those choices. If we feel stuck in our circumstances, sharing our goals and dreams means others can help us along the way and open our minds to opportunities we may not see. Or they can help us adapt and find new ways forward when things don’t go as planned. I’m confident that without the early influences, I would have made different life choices. Those choices built the foundation for the leader I have become, and provided career opportunities to lead and give back to others.
“Life is a matter of choices, and every choice you make makes you” ~ John C Maxwell
Hallway Consulting Group 
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