This year more than any other new year, I found myself reflecting. Of course, the fact that we're heading into a new DECADE has many of us reflecting. There's a lot to look back on. It still blows my mind that we're heading into a new CENTURY.
Of course, I've sat thinking about family, friends of the past, where I'm headed in the future and mostly, the state of the world we live in. It seems as if every time we turn on the TV, we hear about some kind of tragedy that happened because of hate or bias. That leaves me thinking about one of the things that has been part of almost my entire life....drum corps.
When we started Fusion Core, of course the competitive side of us wanted it to be highly competitive. Having spent so many years in a drum corps that won almost every show we attended, it was only natural to associate winning with a competitive sport, but we also spent plenty of time in a drum corps that lost almost every show we attended, so we understood both sides of the activity.
It was a good thing that the winning wasn't the main factor in starting Fusion Core. The main factor was "Giving Back". Giving back all that drum corps ever gave to us. We all agreed that we gained so much from being involved in drum corps. In a world where there is so much chaos, unrest and uncertainty, we found stability, order and a sense of accomplishment, but most of all, we gained friendships, relationships and life lessons that will last us forever.
In drum corps, you meet people from all walks of life. While the world outside may be rough and cruel, our world was about working together regardless of color, race or sexuality. It was meant to be all inclusive. When you came to Fusion Core, we wanted you to feel welcome and in turn, all we wanted from you was to pay it forward.
We are so happy to see so many of you doing great things in the marching arts community and in life in general. This past year, FOUR staff members and a pair of marching members got engaged. Jamie Szeinberg to Jenn Troxell, Paul Levitan to Becca Meeker, Matt Peterson to Lauren Lee, John Herbert Molloy to Brittany Victoria and Adam Tharp to Kim Brazina. A few of our alumni became parents or are going to be parents in the very near future and many of you graduated college or started your dream job. CONGRATS TO YOU ALL!!
Over our last 13 years, so many of you have come and gone. Some have spent several years and some have only spent a short time, but no matter how long you've spent here, YOU have helped us become who we are and we would not be here if it wasn't for each and every one of you.
Thank you for being part of our family. Thank you for helping us grow. Thank you for the losses and the wins. Thank you for the downs and ups, the not so good times and the best of times. Thank you for the tears and the laughter and lastly, thank you for shaping us into who we are today.
Every time I sing the Core song, I'm not only thinking of the current Core, I'm also thinking of so many of you who have been here from our very humble beginnings to the present.
To all our Friends and Family, we wish you the happiest and healthiest New Year. May the start of this new Century bring you years of joy, health, many accomplishments and most of all.........Love.
XOXO