Band, singing and theater are something Hamlow has always been around, and it was the perfect fit for him once he got to Fort Dodge Senior High.

“My dad played trombone in band, along with his mom, my brother, two of my uncles and my aunt,” said the FDSH senior. “I just followed in their footsteps.

“Many people in my family have been involved in band, playing different instruments or even drum majoring.”

Being a drum major was something Hamlow had always dreamed of, and in his final year of being a Dodger, it came true.

“I really enjoy being a drum major. I’ve tried out for drum major every year of high school so far so it’s a big accomplishment for me to finally make it,” Hamlow said. “I love being in a leadership position, and getting to learn how to direct the band helps a lot with the career I want to pursue after high school.

“Another thing I like about being a drum major is getting to see the people from my old section stepping up to fill my spot. It’s nice to see all the people I used to lead in music and marching start helping others to learn their marching and playing their hearts out on the field.”

Hamlow alluded to his family being a big influence to being in the band — a new family that he formed.

“I feel that the band really is a family, especially during marching band season everyone helps each other out and really cares about one another,” Hamlow said. “I find band so fun just because I love music a lot and get to hear and play all sorts of different styles and such.”

Hamlow packs his schedule full, being involved in A Cappella, fall play, spring musical, large group and individual speech, as well as jazz band, Code Red, hip hop dance team and All-State choir.

Choir has been a love for Hamlow, and when he auditioned for All-State Chorus, he was testing the waters.

“When I first auditioned for the Iowa All State Chorus I had absolutely no expectations of getting in,” Hamlow said. “I was only in it for the experience as it was told to everyone that making it as a freshman is extremely unlikely.

“I still auditioned just so maybe one year in high school I’d be chosen like my older brother was, however, my freshman year I did make it in and have made it every year since. It is such an honor to have been lucky enough to make it in the past three years and I only hope my luck can hold out for my last year of auditions.”

Using his voice has been something Hamlow has enjoyed, but getting on stage is also something he looks forward to.

“At the high school I have been involved in three of the musicals, my first was “Les Miserables” my freshman year,” Hamlow said. “What I loved about doing this was that it was my favorite musical since I was a little kid and I got to play four separate parts. My sophomore year we did “Tuck Everlasting,” I loved being able to play a larger role and getting to play the main antagonist of the show.

“Last year we did “Anastasia,” I got to play an even bigger role in that one and the singing was much higher than I’m used to so that was both a struggle and a welcome challenge.”

The musical is a process — getting the cast, practicing and getting everything ready for opening night.

“I love getting to see the growth of our group from the first read-through to the final performance, it’s truly amazing what we can pull together in two months and I love to see new people arrive and showcase their talents to all that are willing to listen and watch,” Hamlow said. “In “Tuck Everlasting” I had the role of Man in the Yellow Suit which was a carnival man from the south who was hell-bent on finding water that would make him and all who drink it immortal.

“Last year in “Anastasia” I played the role of Dmitry, who was a young con man that tries to turn in an actress pretending to be the lost princess of Russia, Anastasia, for a reward, he ends up finding the true princess and falling in love with her.”

Hamlow joined the dance team in his final year of middle school.

“In eighth grade one of my friends on the high school dance team asked me to be her partner for the co-ed dance routine that the high school puts on every year,” Hamlow said. “I did it and discovered that I really enjoyed dancing and when the coach jokingly asked if I would audition for my freshman year, I said “sure” and have been on the team for the past four years.”

Being a part of speech has allowed Hamlow to find out a lot about himself and to be able to get things done on his own.

“The biggest benefit for me is learning how to be self-sufficient, one of the categories I’ve been involved in the past two years has been short film,” Hamlow said. “In my sophomore year my friend Leif Hamilton and I rose to the top of our short film group and were essentially co-directors, that year we made All-State for our short film about drug addiction called “Twice Daily”.

“Being in a leadership position for a project like that has taught me how to take care of myself and others, while also taking other people’s opinions into consideration instead of completely taking over.”

Being a part of speech has helped Hamlow learn how to budget his time wisely.

“Speech is very time consuming but I have learned to make sure I get my school work done before I do anything for speech,” Hamlow said. “While I don’t miss practices for homework I do make sure that I’m scheduling times that I can do my homework around when my practices are.”

As his high school days wind down, being a part of the fine arts will be something that is hard to put behind him.

“I will miss marching band and musical the most,” Hamlow said. “The last performance for the marching band will be a sad one just because I will miss being on the field and the true family that we put together out there.

“Musical has always been important to me and singing for the last time with such an amazing ensemble and amazing lead and supporting performers will be a very surreal experience.”

Being part of the Red and Black is something that Hamlow will carry with him forever.

“Being a Dodger means being there,” Hamlow said. “I feel that you should always be there if you can, for anything. If there is a game going on whether it’s football, basketball, volleyball, soccer, or anything else you should be there to support your team.

“Being a Dodger isn’t just about sports, or the arts, or academics, or the robotics club, it is about all of it, and no matter what you enjoy more you should always support your fellow Dodgers.”

With the lasts, also comes things that Hamlow is looking forward to.

“I am looking forward to how the school year pans out as a whole,” Hamlow said. “I’m excited for the fall play, speech, jazz band, the musical, A Cappella, and all the other things I’m involved in.

“I’m excited to graduate and move on to the next stage of my life after high school as well.”

Whether it’s friends, teachers or family members, Hamlow has leaned on the people around him to help him become a better person.

“My biggest influences have been Mina DeJong, Leif Hamilton, and Simeon Roberts,” Hamlow said. “All for different reasons, Mina has taught me that with hard work, anyone can accomplish anything, whether it’s in academics, arts, or anything else, if she sets her mind to it she will accomplish it. Leif has taught me that you can still have fun and do well at the same time, sometimes I can get hung up on the idea that if I want to have good grades or be better at performing then I won’t have any time for just fun high school stuff, Leif has shown me that’s not the case, he somehow finds a way to have as much fun as possible and still do well in all of his classes and performances.

“Simeon taught me to always smile, even if he was going through a rough time or was really stressed out, he still had that big smile on his face and you could always hear his signature laugh in the hallways.”

Hamlow plans on going to college and start studying music composition and conducting. He eventually wants to earn his PhD in those fields and whatever specific type of music he decides to go into.

Vacation destination: New Zealand.

People I would like to have dinner with: Nelson Mandela, Donald Glover aka Childish Gambino, and Sir Ian McKellen.

It would surprise people that I: hate almost all sauces and condiments expect barbecue sauce.

Performer that inspires me: Josh Groban.

My everyday role model: my older brother Cole Hamlow.

I can’t go a day without: food.

Where do I see myself in 10 years?

finishing up college and getting a job doing what I love.

What are you listening to right now?

“Stand Tall” by Childish Gambino

Dream piece: Miss Saigon (show); The Planets by Gustav Holst (piece).

A show you binge watch: “Avatar the Last Airbender”.

Favorites…

Musical: The Last Five Years.

Performance: FDSH’s large group speech musical theatre performance of Frankenstein.

Song: “Me and Your Mama” by Childish Gambino.

Movie: Prince of Egypt or The Return of the King.

Book: The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien.

Music genre: R&B.

Instrument: trombone.

Class: Spanish.

Phone App.: Pancheros App.