“Unspeakable.”

That’s how senior Aislinn Walters describes her feelings at being selected as a member of the 2014 U.S. Army All-American Marching band.

“I’m still wrapping my head around the fact I got in, and I found out two months ago,” Walters said.

Walters was chosen as one of the top 125 high school senior marching band and flag corps members in the country, winning an all-expenses-paid trip to San Antonio, Texas to perform at halftime in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Jan. 4. While there, she will rehearse for over 20 hours, visit an Army boot camp, and tour the Alamo.

Walters will arrive in San Antonio on Dec.30.

“I’ve never flown commercially before, and now I’m going to have to do it by myself,” Walters said. “Hopefully I don’t get on the wrong plane and end up in Indonesia.”

Walters described the day she found out as “exhilarating.”

“When I got the email, I’m pretty sure they heard me screaming in Ellis,” Walters said. “I almost fell out of my chair. The realization you’ve accomplished something you’ve worked really hard for—that feeling’s pretty amazing.”

Hard work and music is something Walters has put together for some time.

“I’ve been a part of the Fort Hays State ensembles since I was a freshman, and now am in the top jazz band,” Walters said.

In addition to her participation in the Fort Hays music department and her involvement in the high school band and choir, Walters said she tries to practice an hour to an hour and a half every night.

“There’s always something,” Walters said. “An audition, an upcoming concert—there’s always something I can be working on.” She also takes private lessons once a week from Fort Hays State saxophonist Brian Keller and jazz lessons every other week from music professor Brad Dawson.

Walters said she enjoys the more challenging music.

“Harder music keeps you on your toes,” Walters said. “It keeps you from going, ‘Oh, I don’t need to practice, I’m good enough.’ That mindset keeps you from getting better and only holds you back. I don’t think that would happen to me, because I like to play and I like to practice, but this ensures it never will.”

Walters also auditions for district and state ensembles throughout the year.

“The audition music isn’t that hard, but because I want to get into groups like All-State band so badly, I try to perfect it.”

However, Walters said music cannot be perfected.

“When you find one thing, there’s another thing you can fix or do differently,” Walters said. “You can learn to play the piece well, but there is always something you can do better.”

Walters plans to continue her involvement in music by attending Fort Hays State University to obtain an undergraduate degree in music education, then go on and get her masters in music performance, possibly from Indiana University, and then, eventually, a doctorate in something music-related.

“I’ll never stop performing,” Walters said. “That feeling of being on stage is something you can’t get anywhere else, at least for me. Maybe it’s how a football player feels when he hears the crowd cheering or a biochemist when they discover a new protein. There’s just nothing else like that.”

Walters says she wants to go as far as possible with this opportunity and in music.

“I’ve always thought it’d be cool to be part of the band that plays on the movie or TV soundtracks,” Walters said.

Band director Craig Manteuffel said he was “excited” for Walters.

“I think she’ll have an exciting experience she’ll remember for the rest of her life,” Manteuffel said. “Aislinn will be a great representative of Hays High in San Antonio.”

Walters also gave a thank-you to those who helped her along the way.

“There’s so many,” she said. “God, friends, family, teachers—anyone who’s made an impact until this point, thank you. I would not be here today without them.”

Finally, Walters has some advice about pursuing dreams.

“Don’t be scared to go for it,” Walters said. “Even if it’s a hard process and you think the chances are slim, don’t sell yourself short. Look at disappointments as motivation to improve, but don’t dwell on them, you’ll hold yourself back. If you want it, work for it, and the results will just be unbelievable.”

14nfeyerherm@usd489.com