Success can come in many shapes and forms. One person's success can be another person's failure. I guess to an extent success can be relative. I believe that I have been a really successful person over the last 4 years. I have taught 3 amazing drum corps. Going back to teach at the Blue Devils now (which still seems unbelievable!). Designing for a drum corps at the age of 25 (which also still seems unbelievable!!!!) I'm starting to get to a new level of success not only with what I already mentioned, but with helping others because of my own accomplishments.

I've been helping my cousin on his own project. I'm not going to mention anything about it because it's still pretty secretive. It's something so awesome though and I'm so proud of him. I'm happy that he is achieving his dreams and that I have a small piece of that with him. I can't wait for it to get rolling!

Mr. Chace Leblanc, someone I view not only as my friend and fraternity brother, but also like a real brother, just made the 14 time DCI World Champion Concord Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps. To some people this may not seem like a success. Afterall it is just marching band right? But to us from a small town like Erath, Louisiana this is something huge. Chace has wanted to be a part of this organization for the past 4 years. He is finally achieving his dream. How special is that? Nothing good comes easy, as my dad would say. I worked my butt off to get where I am today and I can't even explain how happy it makes me to see Chace get the same opportunity to be a part of the organization like I did. Even more special is I get to see him everyday with the corps as I'm on the vis staff there now.

I've now taught Chace in every competitive ensemble he has ever been in. Everything from the Erath High School band, to the Academy drum and bugle corps, the Madison Scouts, The Troopers, and now BD. I've literally seen him grow up from a stupid young kid (not an insult... we have ALL been there) to a fine young man. He has come a long way in the last 5 years and I'm so happy that I can have witnessed it firsthand.

I have no doubt that 2011 will be the best summer for us as a teacher - student relationship. I can't wait for the day when I can call him my colleague. August 13th, 2011 marks the last day that I'll be able to call Chace my student. It'll definitely be a bittersweet day for me. I remember vividly how much work he had to do in 2008, his first year marching drum corps, and how for he has come every summer since then. Chace Leblanc has definitely found success for himself and I couldn't be prouder of him.

Tim