Riverside Fall Sport Senior Q&A: Part 1

School is back in full swing and so are high school sports!

The coaches and leaders are ready to dive into a successful season.

I know the students that I have in the band program are a great group of kids who continue to work very hard towards a successful season,” said David Withrow, Director, Riverside Panther Marching Band. “I know the same could be said about the football team and cheerleaders, as well as all the other activities that go on at Riverside. The district is full of great kids from great families. It’s as simple as that.”

Withrow is joined in bringing school spirit to his community by marching band seniors and a senior cheerleader.

Those seniors offered perspective on the season ahead and their plans for the future.

This is part one of a two part series featuring Riverside High School seniors in fall sports.

Band: Levi Plassmeyer

Credit: Lisa Plassmeyer

How many years have you been in band? Ive been in the marching band for 6 years

What instrument do you play? I play the trumpet

What is your favorite part of band? My favorite part of band is putting on a show we worked hard on every year

How have you and your group been getting ready for the new season? We’ve been preparing for this season by having many rehearsals at the football field

Who do you feel is your biggest rivalry this upcoming season in competitions or otherwise? We don’t do any competitions so I wouldn’t say we really have a rivalry. We just play at the football games and parades and try to have the best performance possible

What is one skill you have learned from band that you will utilize in your future and how? I’ve learned some leadership skills especially through being the President of the marching band for the past couple years

What are your future plans after graduation? Will you continue to play music after high school? After high school, I plan on going to college for Computers and I will continue playing music in a couple of bands outside of school I’m currently a member of

Band: Amanda Young

How many years have you been in band? I have been in band for 9 years, and 6 years in marching band.

What instrument do you play? I play the Clarinet, and this year I’m Drum Major.

Favorite part of band? My favorite part of band is spending time with friends, going to football games, and going to BCI.

How have you and your group been getting ready for this season?  This summer I attended the Drum Major Academy at West Chester University. The band has been practicing both on and off the field. We have had summer band, band camp and evening practices.

What is one skill you have learned from band that you will utilize in your future and how? I have learned teamwork and leadership skills from my years in band. I’ll use these skills throughout college and in my future career.

What are your future plans? I plan to attend Geneva College majoring in Human Resources.

Will you continue to play music after high school? Yes, I plan to play in Geneva’s marching band, and I am a member of the Harmony Zelienople Community Band.

Cheerleading: Maddie Dambach

How many years have you been cheering? I have been cheering for 12 years.

What is your favorite part of cheerleading? My favorite part of cheering is watching the football team win and being able to cheer them on.

How have you and your squad been getting ready for the new season? We have been conditioning and practicing throughout the summer, as well as practicing with the band. our panther night was a big help, getting us ready and prepared for mounts, cheers, and band dances in front of a crowd.

Who do you feel is your biggest rivalry this upcoming season? Ellwood City is our biggest rival.

What is one skill you have learned from cheerleading that you will utilize in your future and how? I learned in cheering that you have to be able to work well with people to get certain things to work, and i will utilize this skill in the future by working together with coworkers for success.

What are your future plans after graduation? Will you continue to play sports or cheer after high school? I plan on attending a 4- year college for finance and business management to help expand my family’s business. i do not plan on playing any sports or cheering after high school.