My name is Ashley Pribyl, and I'm almost done at Manzano High School. I love it there. I was involved in soccer as a goalkeeper and in band as drum major and a French horn/trombone player.

The best thing about Manzano is it encouraged my diversity. I was able to easily do both band and sports; in fact, the assistant band director, Matt Talmadge, is also the J.V. boys' soccer coach. I loved not having to worry about conflicts and being able to do the things I love.

I'm also going to miss the familial feeling that Manzano provides. Coming from a very small class, I feel that I know almost everyone.

Even though we have a small senior class, a 10th of the class is in band. I feel like we're all part of a family. We fight, we argue, we gossip and we love each other, just like a family.

During marching season, we rehearse at 6:30 a.m. when the sun comes up, and after school until the sun goes down.

We've gone to Las Cruces, Las Vegas, Colorado Springs, Durango, Orlando, Boulder and Anaheim since I've been here, and I would never give up any of those memories. Not to mention how much I'll miss my band directors, Matt Talmadge and Richard Hielkema. These two know that band isn't just about learning music; it teaches life skills such as leadership and teamwork.

Even though they have frustrated me, I thank them for all the pain because I look back now and see what better people all of us seniors have become since freshman band camp. I want to really thank them for all their hard work because being a band director isn't a 6 a.m.-to-3 p.m. job.

If those hours weren't bad enough, they're always at after school rehearsals, football games and concerts, plus they're involved with their students' lives. Thanks to the band and the band directors at Manzano for giving me such wonderful experiences.

And a special thanks to our principal, Tim Whalen, for being so especially supportive of the fine arts. Go Manzano Royal Guard!