Chester High School held its annual Senior Night for fall sports at the last home football game between the Chester Yellow Jackets and the Nashville Hornets on Friday, October 24. The fall sports that were showcased were football, cheer, girls’ golf, and cross country before the game. The band and dance team were showcased during halftime.
The Sting interviewed eleven of the nineteen band seniors. The band’s senior members are Addy Gottschammer, Amelia Crawford, Tony Hernandez-Huerta, Brayden Juenger, Brayden Tucker, David August, Emily Gruenewald, Erin Liefer, Ivan Hobbs, Jacob Casteel, Jason Sibley, Liam Holland, Mackenzie Deimund, Megan Zimmer, Natalie Guetersloh, Reed Creason, Ryan Juenger, Trevor Keeton, and Elizabeth Wilson. Here are the interview responses:
Addy Gottschammer was the first to be interviewed. Gottschammer is one of two drum majors and also plays the trombone. Gottschammer said that the reason she initially joined band back in fifth grade was because she thought it would be cool to have a special talent that not many others could do. When asked what her favorite memory was from her time in band, Gottschammer responded with, “Becoming drum major and getting close with people I never thought I would. Band camp also created a few core memories for me.” Gottschammer’s favorite half-time field show was “The Eras of Taylor Swift.” Once she graduates from high school, her plan is to attend college and major in chemistry.
Jason Sibley is our next senior, and he’s a member of the percussion section. When asked why he originally joined band, Sibley said, “I joined because I was urged by my parents and siblings to join. I was skeptical at first, but as I started to learn and grow, I realized this was my place.” Sibley’s favorite memory from band was contest his freshman year, where the band ranked high in the state. His favorite field show was “Power Rock Vol. 1,” which consisted of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana, “Enter Sandman” by Metallica, and “Dream On” by Aerosmith. Sibley’s plans after high school are to finish his college courses and study for music education. His hope for the future is to be able to, “spread the love [he] first learned when [he] first joined, or help and nurture that love!”
Elizabeth Wilson is the next band senior, and she plays the clarinet. Wilson states the reason she first joined band is because, “My mom made me choose between band and basketball, and back then I wasn’t sure how basketball worked so I didn’t want to play it. So luckily I was stuck joining band.” Wilson’s favorite memories from her time in band was the trip the band took to Florida and the Bahamas, but does also state that contest each year is a close second. Wilson’s favorite half-time show was also “Power Rock Vol. 1,” but she also loved her sophomore year show where the band played various songs by Santana. Wilson’s plans after graduation are to go to college to get her PhD in psychology, and specialize in child and developmental psychology.
The next band senior is Emily Gruenewald, who plays the flute. Gruenewald states that she initially joined band because her sister also played the flute, and she wanted to be just like her. Gruenewald’s favorite memory from band is the cruise they took over the summer, where they got to experience so many different activities. Her favorite field show is also the “Power Rock Vol. 1.” After graduation, Gruenewald plans on going to SIU in Edwardsville to become a social worker.
Brayden Juenger is a trumpet player and our next band senior. Juenger says he originally joined band because all of his friends did, and his favorite memory was going on the cruise to the Bahamas. Juenger’s plans after high school is to go into the trades.
David August is the next band senior, and he is a member of the percussion section. August states he joined band for two reasons; both of his older sisters were in band, and he had a brief time making original melodies for a game which also sparked his love for band. When asked what his favorite band memory was, August said, “My favorite memory from band has to be championship basketball games my freshman year, watching beside my sister Chelsea. We were all so hyped and having to play during every time out made it more exciting.” His favorite half-time show is the “Power Rock Vol. 1,” done his freshman year. Once he graduates high school, August plans on taking classes on composition and advanced music theory so he can continue making his own music, and take his skills to the next level.
Liam Holland is the next band senior, and he plays the trombone. Holland joined band because he “wanted to see what it was all about.” His favorite band memory was the summer trip where the band went to Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. Holland’s favorite half-time show is his freshman year, where the band played “Power Rock Vol. 1.” Once he graduates, Holland plans on going to Ranken, in St. Louis, Missouri, and do their high performance racing program.
The band’s baritone saxophone player, Brayden Tucker, is our next senior member. Tucker decided to join band because everyone else in his family did, and he wanted to follow in their footsteps. When asked what his favorite band memory was, Tucker said, “My favorite memory is playing at Universal when we got back from the cruise.” He also favors his freshman field show when they played “Power Rock Vol. 1.” After he graduates, Tucker plans on doing an apprenticeship to become an electrician.
Megan Zimmer is the next band senior, and also a fellow Sting writer. Zimmer plays the flute and asked why she joined band, she stated, “because it interested me that a tube of metal could play sound.” Her favorite memory was one she also made on the cruise trip, where she and some other people put two of the male band members in funny makeup. Her favorite half-time show is once again also the “Power Rock Vol. 1.” Zimmer plans on attending college to become a music teacher, just like Mr. Colonel!
Anthony, “Tony,” Hernandez-Huerta is our next band senior and is a trombone player. Huerta says he joined the band originally because they “advertised it well” his 8th grade year. Huerta’s favorite band memories consist of him just hanging out with his friends and having a great time, Huerta also enjoyed the cruise ship as it was “even more chaotic.” Huerta’s favorite field-show was the Santana one. As of right now, Huerta is undecided on what to do after high school, but says he will most likely go to college.
Ivan Hobbs is the next band senior, and he is also a trombone player. Hobbs joined band because he thought playing an instrument was cool. He also mentions that his favorite memory from band was also from the cruise and states some highlights where being on the bus for sixteen hours, being locked out of his room, and having to sleep underneath Brock Fuller’s bed! Hobbs’ favorite half time show is also “Power Rock Vol. 1,” specifically with “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana. When asked what he would do after he graduates, Hobbs says, “I’d like to do something involving animals, maybe breeding fish and opening my own store or being a game warden in Florida. I still want to make a lot of money to have my own animals and be able to travel to tropical regions of the world.”
The Senior Night portion of the game ended with the students giving thanks to Mr. Colonel, who has taught the band for 31 years. This marching season was his last, as when the class of 2026 graduates, Mr. Colonel will be retiring. Thank you Mr. Colonel, for all you have done for CHS and with the band, choirs, the theatre department, and the yearbooks. You will truly be missed, as you have left a huge impact on all of your students over the years.
Those are all of the band seniors for the 2025-2026 school year. Thank you for all of your hard work you do for all of your performances. CHS will truly miss you once you graduate.