VYPE: What are your personal goals for the year?

My personal goals for the year are to continue to grow academically and hopefully do well on my solo at state. As well as to succeed at speech and debate state and nationals. 

VYPE: What is the most fun you have had in the last year?

The most fun I’ve had has been going to Columbia to audition for the all-state band. The day before, the directors let us go and have a lot of fun, and I really get to bond with my peers. Oh, and I can’t forget going to Florida with the band! 

VYPE: Who is your favorite teacher from any grade, and why?

It’s hard to choose just one because I feel as though all my teachers have had an impact on me. If I had to pick a few, I would start with Mr. Jones and Woods. Starting band, I was pretty insecure about how I was as a player. Not only did they encourage me and believe in me throughout the years, but they introduced me to someone that has made me prosper in the music industry and has boosted my self-esteem and confidence. Also, I would pick Mrs. Wooten. She’s always there to listen to everything going on in my life and she knows how to deal with a stressed-out Ysabella. Thanks to her, my speaking skills are better than ever, and I have fallen in love with the speech and debate world. 

VYPE: What is your favorite athletic memory?

I wouldn’t call being in a band an athletic sport because I certainly do not have the toned muscles my athletic friends have. I will say that marching does pack up a sweat though! Aside from that, my favorite memory is pretty recent. It was a couple of minutes after my audition for the all-state band and I was balling my eyes out. I was 100% convinced I just bombed my audition. My directors tried to calm me down, but I was so scared. A couple of minutes of crying later, I refreshed the page and found out I got a call-back. I still remember jumping up out of my seat and screaming “Mr. Jones, I got a callback!” I could’ve sworn I strutted down that hallway like I just won the lottery. I think at that moment I felt soft in the heart, and the look on my director’s face made me so happy. In the end, I got 2nd alternate clarinet in the all-state band! 

VYPE: What teammate has left the biggest impression on you and why?

If I had to pick any band member, I would pick Brandi Tice. Not only are we in band together, but we do speech and debate as well. Brandi is always there to support me no matter what. At every band and debate competition, she’s always cheering me up and never let me leave without a smile. Whether it’s letting me hold her cow, drawing on her iPad, or just ranting for hours. Brandi is like a ray of sunshine to me. 

VYPE: What is your favorite part of being on this team?

My favorite part of being in band is honestly, playing music. Every time I play my clarinet, I feel a sense of euphoria and all my troubles seem to go away. 

VYPE: You can pick any place for a summer vacation. Where do you go, and who do you take with you?

If I could go anywhere for Summer vacation, I would pick Paris, France. Then I would take my mom. Paris is the place I’ve wanted to go to since I was little. I long to sit at a cafe by The Eiffel Tower and sip a nice hot latte. I would take my mom because she is the ideal travel partner. Not only is she my number one fan, but she’s so good at taking pictures! My mom is an immigrant who ended up becoming a single mother, so I think she deserves to see the wonders of the world. 

VYPE: If we gave you $500 and you had to spend it in the next 24 hours, what would you spend it on?

I would spend the $500 on books. It sounds far-fetched, but books are expensive! Books are my favorite de-stressor and allow me to escape into a fun little world. 

VYPE: Do you participate in any community service projects?

As far as community service goes, I live around a lot of elderly people and I’ve become the tech girl. I love going around and helping them with anything. As long as they leave with a smile on their face! I also enjoy going to junior high speech and debate tournaments and judging! It’s refreshing to see how much potential the kids of our future hold. 

VYPE: What Clubs or Campus groups are you involved with and why?

Aside from band, I do speech and debate! I’m the vice president and it’s something I take a lot of pride in. Before speech and debate, I was convinced I was going to be in the jazz band. I mean my first love was music, so why not push through and do another form of it, jazz? However, my mom thought I needed to sharpen my speaking skills. I couldn’t even order my food at Chick-Fil-A! So in the end, I joined speech and debate, and I’m so glad I did. I love the people who do it, and I love the events that center around it! I have no regrets! 

VYPE: Are you involved in academic excellence activities such as the National Honor Society, Student Council, or other academic clubs?

Not yet. I’m still a sophomore, but once I hit junior year, I’m hoping I get into NHS!