Flute

Iliana Muñoz is one of the quiet ones. Her name is rarely heard being from the director’s podium as Mr. Cox attempts to corral some of the shorter attention spans during practice in the band hall. Instead she sits and waits quietly, casually eyeing her music or examining her flute until things settle down and it’s time to play once again. But it’s all an illusion. It was a pleasant surprise to find a talkative Iliana sitting across the desk in Mr. Cox’s office, eagerly answering each question posed to her.

The 17-year-old senior is the oldest child of Martin and Alicia Muñoz. Alicia is a stay-at-home mom and Martin is the owner/operator of several Mexican restaurants in the local area. The entire family, including two other sisters and two brothers, have made their home in Olive Branch after moving from Batesville. Before moving to Mississippi, the Muñoz family lived in Stockton, California where Iliana was born. Her roots, however, go all the way back to the state of Jalisco in Mexico, from which her parents immigrated.

Since moving to Olive Branch three years ago, Iliana has found much to like about Desoto Central. Her favorite academic subject is English currently taught by Mrs. Benson, but she developed her affinity for the course during her first two years under Mrs. Wiseman. “She teaches you while getting to know you on a personal level,” Iliana explained.

Iliana also has a lot going on outside the classroom. She is a member of two clubs on campus, the Key Club and the International Club, with the latter being her favorite, adding, “We’re studying different Hispanic and Latin American cultures. To be in it, it helps to know Spanish, because Mrs. Skinner uses Spanish in the classroom and expects you to answer in Spanish.” In this area Iliana bi-lingual ability comes in handy. Otherwise, free time is hard to come by, now that she is also keeping a part-time work schedule as a waitress at her one of her father’s restaurants. The best part of the job for Iliana is meeting the customers, but she is a little concerned about how such a hectic schedule will affect her grades.

And her grades will be especially important to her plans after high school. Iliana plans to attend either Ole Miss or the University of Memphis to study pre-law, and then go on to law school. Mom and Dad, however are somewhat reluctant to let their eldest child leave the nest and are leaning to The U of M in order to keep her close to home. “I don’t have a problem with that,” Iliana added. “…both of those schools have a law school.” Why does she want to be a lawyer? “It’s the arguing part, I guess,” she explained. “Sometimes when we have class discussions, I just find myself involved in it, and I think that I can get involved in other discussions. My mom says that when I set my mind to it, I can get what I want.” Having four other siblings to compete with, one can see the necessity for that skill.

She hopes to be able to continue to play the flute and march throughout her time at college because of the pleasure it has brought to her life so far. She takes great satisfaction from the improvements she has witnessed in the quality of The Pride. She credits winning the state championship last year with an overall improvement in the bands confidence level. Even though it will be the first year of 4A competition, Iliana thinks that they are up to the challenge and she can’t wait to prove it!

Mellophone

Nate Bobo had a lot of nervous energy. One leg seemed to have a life of its own, constantly bouncing up and down as he sat in the “interrogation chair”. Whenever the band began to play in the next room, his head would bob up and down to the music. It was probably just the residual nervousness brought on from being summoned by Mr. Cox to come into his office (never an exciting prospect). Or maybe he was just eager to get back to playing his mellophone.

Nate Bobo is the 16 year old son of Sherry Wilhelm and Jay Bobo. He was born in Memphis and moved to Olive Branch when he was 12 years old. He is beginning his junior year at DCHS and fifth year as a member of The Pride.

As a longtime member of the mellophone section (a marching version of the French horn), he is currently sitting in the second chair position. Nate feels like the “low brass” section is coming into their own this year and will play a major role in helping the band continue a record of excellence during the competition season. “Our low brass section is really coming together now, and we’ve needed that,” Nate explained. On the whole, he expects that the band will be able to hold their own as a first time 4A band this year. He attributes this optimism to an improvement in marching skills and the overall quality of the band’s sound. However, he’s still realistic about the challenge that lays ahead. “There are all these bands out there that have a reputation of being some of the best bands in state, and now we have to step up and be better than them,” Nate said. “I think it’s going to be tough.”

Nate is also taking on some challenges in academics. His favorite class is Advanced Placement History, taught by Mr. Lisenby. His interest in historical events and places was inspired by a grandfather with an avid interest in genealogy. “My goal is to make straight A’s this year”, said Nate. He knows that his grades now will affect his ability to obtain scholarships and continue his studies at the University of Memphis in the field of pharmacy. “My dad and step mom are both pharmacists. I’ve been around pharmacy work every weekend and I enjoy working with my dad,” he added. While at the U of M, Nate plans to continue playing the mellophone with the Mighty Sound of the South Marching Band, before going on to finish his studies at the University of Tennessee pharmacy school.

Nate’s personal life is typical of most 16 year-olds. His only real hobby is collecting baseball cards, but he has been forced to put that on hold now that his summer job at Snowden Grove Park is playing out. “I can’t spend money on baseball cards anymore,” he explained. “I have to spend too much money on gas.” The majority of his free time is spent hanging out with friends, “…doing basically nothing.”

But, a couple of weeks ago, Nate did something more significant with his free time. He volunteered to work at a Red Cross shelter in Memphis that had been set up for hurricane Katrina victims, mainly moving supplies and handing out water. “My mom and I went up there. She kind of dragged me along as punishment, but it turned out that I really enjoyed it. It gave me a good feeling about myself. I wanted to go back this weekend,” Nate added.

It sounds like a good way to put some of that nervous energy to work for a good cause.