November 6, 2007
Today I dress in honor of a very special man, someone who affected many students and adults who in return affected and will affect, even though he’s gone, families and generations to come. This person gave so much service for the Pasco High Marching Band. Since I was a freshman, I remember Charlie Wicklander coming to every rehearsal, every performance, and every competition. He took care of the podiums, yard makers, water/hot chocolate, and later the large pit that we obtained. He showed up early to rehearsal and stayed late-sometimes even later than Mr. Newbury because he was waiting for individual students to get picked up by their parents. Later, I remember him coming on Jazz and Wind Ensemble trips, hanging out with us on the bus, and in the concerts. Mrs. Watson and Charile made the basketball band trips memorable with jokes like “Chips’ cane!” Charlie took care of us. Just as Mr. Newbury was our father, Charlie Wicklander was the fun loving uncle of our band.
The work that he did was great for the Music Program, but he did something that was much less obvious but even greater. He was kind and thoughtful. He saw potential in everyone and treated them that way. I don’t think I ever saw him when he was thinking of himself. On band trips he would bring footballs and hacki- sacks for us to play with on down time, he even joined some times J. I remember on a basketball band trip we ran into him at the mall and he showed us a new “toy” that he bought for us. He was so excited to show us what he had found and to let us play with it.
Because of him and other’s like him, the Pasco School District saw more in the music program and fought to bring a great teacher to the department. They grew to think more than, “oh there’s someone there teaching and taking charge, we don’t have to worry about them” but realized that there were students there worth working for.
He told me once that the reason why he enjoys working for the band was because he saw students that were going to do something great. Being drum major my last two years of high school, I was blessed with the opportunity to work closely with Charlie. It was great to be working side by side with him, talking about how far the band had come and where it had the potential to go. I knew that not only did he see the band as one, but as individuals also and the potential we each had. A couple months after I left high school, I came back and visited. On my way out, I ran into Charlie and he told me something I will never forget. He said, “You’re going to be great. I can see you being a mayor in the community you live in, or maybe on city council.” After telling him no I couldn’t see it he reassured me and said, “No I’m serious, you can, you’re going to make a difference”. This is how he affected us. He saw something great and in inspired us to do better.
I kept what he said in the back of my mind and now, I’m a communications major and I can see myself making a difference. He impacted my life more than I think he knew. I want others to know how amazing he was, how much he blessed the lives around him, so today I fast for his family and dress for the success that Charlie saw in me, a small token of remembrance that I can give back to him.
-Kimberly Nicole
