Heather Parauka
Due Date: Oct. 16th
Period 1
Determination
	
Determination creates driven and successful people.  A perfect example of this statement is shown through the founding of my flag squad.  My flag squad, or the Italian American Flag Squad as it is called, was formed mid way through my junior year at Amity High.  Approximately a year ago, a friend and I, unsatisfied with the leadership of the Amity Colorguard, started our own.  Because I was not about to lower my standards to make the captains happy, I quit.  Soon after dumping the club, I teamed up with my friend Darby and began the process of founding a new squad.  Both our determination and passion for the activity lead us through the ups and downs of this exciting adventure.  First on the list of things to do, was recruit members.  Luckily we gathered together four friends, including a boy, to make a total of six people.  Every Tuesday and Thursday after school, we practiced profusely considering the fact that our members were new to the concept of twirling a flag.  Other challenges beyond teaching a boy with zero flexibility and difficult people, Darby and I planned on performing in the Memorial Day Parade, which led to more stress and hardship.  Because the Italian American Club had us on a tight budget, everything we needed was made by hand.  Utilizing the silk-screening room at our school to design shirts, calling upon Darby’s aunt to sew flags, and my Dad for the poles, our dream slowly pieced together.  The last problem was figuring out how to get music so it was loud enough to be heard by the crowd and a routine the accompany it.  Those problems were quickly solved in one weekend.  In the end, Darby and I formed an excellent flag squad that we are very proud of today.  Both of us look at it not only as an outlet for people who don’t do sports but also a support group for our members.   As Ronald Reagan once said, “A leader, once convinced that a particular course of action is the right one, must… be undaunted when the going gets tough.”