USNA ‘20 (Political Science major, Russian minor)
Hometown: Tampa, FL.
Service Selection: Navy Pilot, reporting to Pensacola, FL in August.
Women’s Glee Club member all four years at the Academy and served as the President during first class (senior) year.
My brother attended the Academy before me, class of ’17 and was in the same company as Aly Hands, one of the former Women’s Glee Club presidents. I became friends with her, through him, and she told me all about the glee club. I never sang in high school, because my school did not have a choir, but I was an active member of the band and have always loved music. When it came time to audition, I was sure I wouldn’t make it because of my lack of singing experience and the talent it held with members such as Aly. It was my brother that ultimately convinced me to at least try and the rest is history.
The WGC was a huge part of my life at the Academy. It was not only an escape from Bancroft and a chance to do something that I loved, but it was a family. They became some of my greatest friends and I know I will have them for a lifetime. Though it was not always easy going to practice after a long day of school, it was something that brought me so much joy as I was able to do what I loved with people who loved it just as much as I did. We made beautiful music every day, and when we performed we could see the joy and hope in the tears that struck our audiences.
None of us could have expected the situation that has been COVID-19. Many of us, including myself, feel that we lost the chance to say goodbye to our friends and lives at the Academy. The Academy was four tough years we have spent together, in good times and bad, bonding and being there for each other when needed. If we couldn’t find what we needed in our companies, we knew that the “Ladies” were there, and would go to the end of the Earth for us. The last time we sang together, we didn’t know it would be the last time. I just wish that I had not taken for granted the time we did have. We sang our hearts out in Tampa, when we knew it was going to be the last concert of our tour, but we did not sing our souls out like we knew it was going to be the last time that we ever sang together. Those Girls are my sisters. We laughed and cried together, we lifted each other up and were each other’s greatest supporters. I cannot thank the music department enough for giving us a chance to find each other and make the music that truly touched people’s hearts.
To anyone that supports the music program, know that it is one of the most beautiful groups at the Academy. It has inspired, developed, and created a wonderful outlet and has taught me how to be the leader I am today getting ready to head out to the fleet. I miss it already, but I am so proud to say that I was a part of it.
