Gracee Padgett

Coweta High School

Coweta High School Drum Major Gracee Padgett being her journey into the world of band when she was in the seventh grade. It was the clarinet then, but today Padgett is the leading the band.

“I enjoy being a drum major because I get to lead the band and make incredible memories with the other kids in the band,” said Padgett.

Those memories will last a lifetime, but there are some that stand out more than others.

“My favorite memory as a drum major would have to be during my junior year, my first season as a drum major. We were at the Owasso Invitational, our first competition of the season, and it was my first time being at the front of the massing block. I had to be in the very back of the line because of the way our salute was setup. We went through the middle of the tunnel of the stadium and you could hear the drumlines performing at the front of the stadium. When I walked through the tunnel the experience went from calm and prepared, to loud and almost out of body. That was the first moment I really felt like a drum major. It felt like everything I had worked for had paid off,” said Padgett.

Those memories are created thanks to the amount of work and practice every team member puts in before they take the field.

“We worked hard to get to a point where we knew this show was something to be proud of. It is a long season of a ton of energy and rehearsal time. We had several weeks where it felt like it was a cycle of eat, school, rehearse, sleep, rinse, and repeat. By the end of it all, we were proud of the show we had and what we had accomplished,” said Padgett.

Now a senior, Padgett is a member of Business Professionals of America and is planning to attend Tulsa Community College for a degree in Accounting Specialization after graduation.

Padgett said her parents have been a big influence in her life.

“My mom and dad I think have been the biggest influences on me. They have always been my biggest supporters. They haven’t missed a marching band event since I started freshmen year. They have also taught me to be hardworking and resilient. They are constantly my biggest fans and my favorite people,” said Padgett.

In her free time, Padgett said she enjoys reading, watching movies, listening to music, watching football, and spending time with friends.