Right Past Splat!

This weekend we moved a bit past SPLAT! We didn't even know it at the time though. This weekend all of our hard work paid off as we earned our way in to finals at the Bands of America Regional Championship at Towson, Maryland. It was quite rewarding to see the kids walk a bit taller today in the halls. I even had kids ask if they could rehearse today. (We are taking today off to recover from our trip!) I truly believe most people give up right before they get to their goal. I am glad that was not the case this past Saturday. The words still ring in my ears from the final announcement for the band as we left the field Saturday night. "The Dutch Fork High School Band has a long tradition of excellence and now they are a Bands of America Finalist!" They can never take that away. I would love to take credit for the story below but it is not mine but it sure fits the situation.

"Which way is success?" the man asks. The stoic sage points down the path to his left. The man, thrilled at the prospect of easy success, rushes off in the appropriate direction. From the distance comes a loud SPLAT! The man reappears. He is bruised and tattered. Again he asks the guru, "Which way is success?" Once again the wise man says nothing. He simply points down the path to his left. The man quickly races down the path a second time. From the distance comes a much louder SPLAT! The man returns crawling on his hands and knees. He is bloody and beaten. He yells at the guru, "Twice I have asked you about the path to success. Both times I followed your directions and both times all I have gotten is splatted!" He screams at the top of his lungs, "No more pointing, talk to me!" The wise man calmly replies, "Success is that way. It is just a little past SPLAT.