On a whim, the Fort Dodge Senior High School senior joined band and has enjoyed it ever since.

“It was something new and I was curious,” Essman said. “Now it’s something I spend most of my time doing.”

Being a part of the Fort Dodge All-American Marching Band has been something that Essman has made a big part of his life. Essman is the trumpet section leader, brass captain and trailer crew leader.

“Band is like a family,” Essman said. “When you’re in band, you spend a lot of time together, and it allows you to gain from what I’ve seen as what is essentially a bond of respect, but also a bond of caring.

“I see it this way because as I’ve grown up, I have tried to be perceptive to how people treat each other, because quite honestly, I am not the best. But from what I have seen, is that although there are tough times and struggles that people face individually, there is usually always someone to go to, whether it be teacher or peer.”

In his senior season, Essman has seen the Dodger band finish strong — placing first at the North Central Iowa Marching Band Clinic in Class 4A, first in 4A and grand champion at the Algona Festival and receiving a Division I rating at the state band festival inside Dodger Stadium.

“When it comes to physical showings of this, when we were in Algona for a band competition, we had someone pass out due to it being extremely hot and anxiety being high,” Essman said. “But the second that we heard that someone went down, multiple band members, adults, and I immediately dropped what we were doing to make sure that they were OK.”

Essman said this showcases what is best about being in band.

“For some, it is just something they go to and are immediately leaving the second they can,” he said, “but to me, and I know to many others, it is a group that you put your heart into.”

Building relationships has also been a strong part of Essman’s band experience.

“To me it is the camaraderie and friendships, but also finding something you love and being able to watch yourself and others become better through hard work,” Essman said. “Which band, and fine arts may be very competitive, but watching both of my co-section leaders become absolutely amazing trumpet players hasn’t made me resentful in the slightest, but happy that I get to be here with them.”

Essman has also built the love to help others.

“Be strong enough so that you can be helpful” is something that Essman lives by.

“This (quote) doesn’t necessarily mean physically,” Essman said. “But just be someone that people know that they can go to you in need of help, whether it be because they need help moving stuff or if it’s because they need someone to talk to since right now their life is just going bad.”

In his four years at Senior High, Essman has been involved in fall play, National Honor Society, Silver Cord, cross country, performers club and a cappella. He will also be in musical theater, large and individual speech, tennis, jazz and concert band.

“To me it’s important to me (to be busy) not just because it looks good on a college application, but because growing up, and even now, I hear in not small amounts that people wish they could’ve been more involved,” Essman said. “So I’ve tried my hardest so that when I do get older that I won’t be guilted by my lack of involvement.”

Being on stage was just something left to chance.

“When I started theater, it was pretty much by complete accident, since in eighth grade I originally wanted to work backstage. But then I ended up with a part, and I have continued ever since,” Essman said. “I started in eighth grade with the ‘Little Luncheonette of Terror.’ Next for my ninth-10th grade years, I did costume crew and other backstage things for ‘Les Misérables’ and ‘Tuck Everlasting.’ Then this last year, I was a part of the ensemble for ‘Anastasia.'”

Speech has also given Essman an added insight into performing.

“The biggest benefit that has come from being in speech definitely has to be my ability to not be afraid when going in front of a crowd and performing,” Essman said. “This skill has somewhat come naturally to me, but being involved in speech and theater alike has allowed me to better hone the skill.

“It has definitely been time consuming for me. This last year I chose to do the Large-Group category of Short Film — which you may not think of at first, but storyboarding, casting, filming, and editing takes a ton of time, and every day of the speech season, once groups were fleshed out, my friend and I spent at least two-plus hours every day working on the video.”

The work that Essman has done on the field and on stage has also been the same in the classroom.

“It is important to me being in the National Honor Society because I have always tried to keep myself to a high standard and to have both made an impact on my community while having integrity and to still continue to be,” Essman said.

Being a Dodger has been a big part of Essman’s life.

“Being a Dodger to me is similar to how being in band is just a lot more clique,” Essman said. “Being a Dodger means that you are bigger than yourself.

“Although you are a singular person, you are a part of this massive web of alumni and a part of a community that is working towards being better together.”

While at Fort Dodge, Essman has been influenced not only by teachers, but by his friend group, which has been a big part of his life.

“Who I can say my biggest influences have been and still have got to be are my friends like Aidan Recker, Sam Salvatore, Jaxton Jones, and Trice Jakeman,” Essman said. “But also, my teachers definitely also have to be some of my biggest influences. Two off the top of my head have to be Mr. (Al) Paulson — the head director of band from my eighth-grade band days all the way up until now, and I’m sure far into the future. He has been someone who has pushed me to be the best possible musician and person I can be.

“The second teacher has got to be Mrs. (Andi) Adams. Now Mrs. Adams is not someone you take lightly. This is the woman who has a state title, is in three Halls of Fame, has over 800 wins under her belt, and has gotten the Character Counts Award. Her classes are tough, but they make you better, and she doesn’t just teach you what the book says. She gives you lessons for life and resiliency, so that when times do get hard, you are able to get through them.”

Essman plans on either going to Iowa Central Community College or the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls for industrial robotics and automation, and will most likely minor in music or music education.

Vacation destination: Essen, Germany.

People I would like to have dinner with: Miles Davis, Les Claypool, my grandpa.

It would surprise people that I: have the ability to play four or five instruments.

Performer that inspires me: Les Claypool.

My everyday role model: Mrs. Adams.

I can’t go a day without: music.

Where do I see myself in 10 years?

Stable in life and giving back to community while still working with music.

What are you listening to right now?

Primus The Beatles, Mom Jeans.

Dream piece: The 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky.

Favorites …

Music genre: Rock or metal or any variation.

Musical: “Hadestown.”

Movie: “Dead Poets Society.”

Instrument: Trumpet.

Phone App.: YouTube.