“I love marching band for the experience of traveling,” Henry said. “Taking a piece of music, turning it into a picture with musical sound.

“I love concert band because I love being inside a huge band and being able to listen to the group.”

Henry, who is a senior at Fort Dodge, is in her second year as a drum major for the Fort Dodge All-American Marching Band.

“I enjoy being a drum major because while it is a lot of responsibility, I get to have fun watching our band grow in talent and capabilities,” Henry said. “I loved being a drum major the last two years of high school and I’m very honored to have that bestowed upon me.

“I can’t wait to see how the band grows in the next couple years.”

Henry takes part in marching band, jazz band, concert band, volleyball, track, National Honor Society and speech.

“I play the clarinet, which I started with in fifth grade, but then I wanted to try something new,” Henry said. “Now I play the clarinet (all variations) and the saxophone (all variations).

“I would like to learn another new instrument.”

While being a drum major and being involved in a lot of activities, it is a labor love for Henry.

“I feel like I’d be missing something in my life if I wasn’t running between all of my activities,” Henry said. “Being involved is more than being in something. It’s about participating in something that you’re passionate about.”

As she graduates at the end of the school year, Henry has been able to stay involved by staying focused.

“I wouldn’t say it has been that difficult,” Henry said. “In past years, I would have to pick between marching band or a volleyball game, but I haven’t really had any conflicts.

“My trick is to be involved, but not to do so much that you get stressed out.”

Henry’s most memorable event in high school has been the band’s trip to Tennessee.

“My most memorable moment would have to be going to Tennessee last year,” Henry said. “I loved the football game and meeting the drum majors from college bands.

“The downside was that I had a migraine all night, so it was hard to function. The experience of the whole trip was one of the most exciting things I’ve ever done.”

Henry has had a number of influences through her career as a Dodger.

“Mr. (Al, band director) Paulson has obviously been a huge influence in my growth as a musician,” Henry said. I wouldn’t have ever done a solo if Mr. Paulson hadn’t just thrown one at me.

“I’d also like to thank Mrs. Paulson because she was the first teacher I met when I moved here and her energy just kept me moving.”

Henry plans on attending Iowa Central to major in music and education, then she plan to go to Northern for her last two years of college.