AURORA, Colo. (KDVR) — A lesson within the energy of friendship and compassion is coming from two native highschool seniors.
In a marching band, the place each musician performs an element, staying in sync makes the efficiency.
“Each pupil has their very own distinctive spot,” stated Zak Ruffert, director of bands at Smoky Hill Excessive Faculty. So after we’re lacking any person, there’s fairly actually a gap within the band, a clean spot on the sphere.”
At Smoky Hill Excessive Faculty, two seniors make the marching band complete collectively: Nolan Dauer and Donovan Mild.
“Donovan performs the trumpet and Nolan strikes them the place he must be,” Ruffert stated. “Collectively, it completes the image.”
The friendship between Dauer and Mild goes again to center college.
“We frolicked throughout lunches and talked to one another then,” Dauer stated.
A college later, these conversations developed into concord.
“Freshman yr, I used to be nonetheless very within the marching band, however I spotted music was getting arduous for me,” Dauer stated.
Whereas Dauer was lacking the instrument half, Mild has spina bifida. He will get from class to class on crutches, however for band, he performs the trumpet.
“Clearly, I couldn’t do the marching half as effectively,” Mild stated, laughing to Dauer. “You provided to assist me out with the marching half. And I used to be going to — I’m being utterly trustworthy right here — I used to be very involved in case you needed to try this or not. Like, I do know you’re my buddy, , however do you actually need to spend your complete time simply strolling round?”
The reply to Mild’s query is fairly clear watching them at observe three years later. FOX31 captured the sights and sounds at observe and their first competitors of the season.
“I don’t actually take into consideration my incapacity an excessive amount of once I’m in right here, I simply deal with the enjoying half and depart the marching half to him,” Mild stated.
“Total, there’s not a martyr. We’re not sacrificing something, both of us,” Dauer stated, including to Mild: “You neglect that if considered one of us is gone, the opposite one is out of fee.”
Duo’s last season in marching band
After their last season in band collectively, the 2 are determining what the longer term holds. They’ve talked to 1 one other about what they need to do after commencement.
“I’d go to group faculty to work on my expertise for bodily remedy,” Mild stated. “I need to assist others with bodily disabilities in order that they’ll get the remedy they want from somebody who may know what they’re going via.”
Dauer stated he sees a future in aviation. The duo is aware of that irrespective of the place they find yourself, they’re sure to remain in contact and get again collectively.
“I’ve little doubt that that can occur,” Mild stated.
“If not, I’ll discover you and we’ll hang around,” Dauer stated.
Dauer and Mild not too long ago obtained hero awards from the Cherry Creek Faculty District superintendent.
