I am proud to present the Ranger Drum Majors for the 2009 marching season, Lauren Kessel and Svenja Cannon. These two along with their staff of section leaders, Alex Galvan, Katie Binkley, Jenny Dennis, Hillary McNeal, Lizzy Austin, Christina Flygstad, Martin Reid, Steven Stovall, Kameron Keen, Kyle Ferguson, Steven French, Jasmine Mabry, Nathan Lovinggood, and Irvin Garza, are working hard to ensure the Naaman Forest Band puts their best foot forward during the marching season. The team is also responsible to help everyone play his or her best while marching and even later during the concert season. The band director, Mr. Larry Schnitzer, looks to this group of kids to help enforce his drive for excellence. Many of these members were also leaders in 2008 when the Ranger band achieved their 18th consecutive UIL First Division Rating! Everyone has their eye on each other and looking for that next victory.
Lauren and Svenja have such a wonderful positive attitude and work to help everyone in the band. I talked to Lauren and Svenja and asked them to share a little bit about themselves.
Lauren Kessel:
- How long have you been in the Naaman Forest Band?
Since 2006; my freshman year.
- What do you hope to accomplish in your role as a NF drum major this year?
Lead the band to success by teamwork and strong leadership but also keeping it fun.
- What lessons have you learned as being a part of the NF band?
Discipline, respect and working well with others to achieve a common goal are lessons I will take with me. There is a special camaraderie among band members.
- Are you involved in other activities outside of the Ranger Band?
I belong to National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and Elementary Teaching Internship program.
- What are you plans for next year?
Pursue a college degree in secondary education, possibly at the University of Texas at Dallas.
Svenja Cannon:
- How long have you been in the Naaman Forest Band?
I have been in the NaamanForest Band all four years of high school (freshmen-senior).
- What do you hope to accomplish in your role as a NF drum major this year?
What I hope to accomplish personally is to be a good leader and help the band accomplish their goals and see their potential. For the band, I hope we are successful in whatever we try but also once again that they see all their potential musically and as wonderful people.
- What lessons have you learned as being a part of the NF band?
I’ve learned what it is like to be apart of something bigger and to work with others to accomplish a goal. I’ve also learned a lot about being self-disciplined and the benefits of working hard.
- Are you involved in other activities outside of the Ranger Band?
I am involved in various activities inside and outside of school. Within school I am the president of National Honors Society, president of German Club, and vice-president of German NHS. Outside of school, I am highly involved with my church youth group. As you can see, Lauren and Svenja have very, busy schedules. We are lucky to have such hard working and dedicated Drum Majors leading our band. They have been working in tandem to make sure this show, Where the Wild Things Are, is the kind of performance that will win at PESH Marching Contest on October 10th and stand out at the GISD Band Festival on October 12th. The culmination of all this hard work will be visible to all at the UIL Marching Contest on October 21st. I hope to see you there or at least sitting in the stands during halftime at the football games enjoying the Ranger Band show! 
