<p>I was trying to remember how I came to CC so I looked back at my very first thread. My son was a sophomore then and finding it difficult to “try something new”. I was finding it hard to find support from my peers in the real world and turned to my cyber pals for suggestions. Now, I often myself running to the computer to announce important news about my kids instead to running to my friends! Scary!</p>
<p>Anyway, my son is doing well in his senior year. He completed his last season with the marching band and has moved on to other musical groups including drumline and drum corp. He really found his niche in band. In his college essay, he wrote about how music brought together a motley crew of kids and turned them into a winning band. Music will always be a part of his life and we’re happy he found it. While he doesn’t intend to major in it, he says if he’s admitted into a school with a band, he will join because it’ll help him meet people. </p>
<p>As for the newspaper staff, he continues to write as well as serve as photographer. It didn’t spark the “writer” in him enough to make him want to pursue it in college, but his skills have garnered him some positive attention. He proofread some his friends college essays and tutored younger English students. I told him he would hopefully be able to help his younger sibling with his essay next year. He wants to write an article on the kids going to college in his school because “they give too much attention to the athletes who get full-rides.” Wow, he has an opinion now! :)</p>
<p>He was so unsure about himself, what would’ve happened if he hadn’t joined band or the newspaper staff? Who knows. What worked for us is a simple contract - “try it for ____ long and if you don’t like it, move on to something else.” </p>
<p>My son isn’t the math and science, AP, left brain whiz. He loves music and art! My husband and I had to learn how to support a creative child because we are so left brained ourselves. </p>
<p>Next task is the college choice. It’ll be interesting to see where he chooses to go! What a journey!</p>