The last thing any of us needs is less sleep. But for me, less sleep means that I get to be surrounded by a community that accepts me for who I am every single week-day morning.

The Regina Dominican orchestra is small but mighty. This year, the orchestra consists  of 18 students with their instruments:  5 violins, 1 flute, 2 clarinets, 3 percussionists, 2 trumpets, 2 cellos, 1 saxophone, and 2 bass clarinets. Although it is seemingly impossible to pull of any challenging music considering this strange arrangement, we never fail to do so. The girls in the orchestra are nothing short of committed. They willingly, (minus Isabelle Spiewak who was paid $1 at the beginning of the year for being the only freshman to join), roll out of bed 45 minutes earlier than other students every single morning. Why? One of the reasons is Mr. Dave Hiett.

You may have seen this man striding down the halls with his bright green lunchbox, or perhaps leading the choir during school masses. No matter how difficult the day, this man is ALWAYS smiling. He cheers me up when I am having a bad day at school, and he even tries to help me with my Chemistry homework (he soon gives up and and “blesses” it instead).

Bottom line, he one of the most supportive people in my life. Whenever I have a major harp audition coming up, he is the first person outside of my private teacher that I go to for advice. He even came out to see one of my Chicago Youth Symphony concerts when I had a solo in the spring concert last year.

At Regina, his recruitment tactics, as strange as they are, works. The first day of school, he tracks down as many freshman as he can, and calls their parents about them joining orchestra before they even know it. He is determined, driven, and passionate about making the orchestra as good as it can be. Although he has an impossible job, he makes it work seamlessly.

I remember the first day of my freshman year at Regina Dominican. I barely knew a single girl in the school. I remember coming out of school that day and seeing Mr. Hiett talking to my mom. In my head, I thought, “Oh my God. He better not make me play cello in the orchestra. I hate the cello, and I don’t have the time.” I explained that I had given my cello back to my school a few months before. I tried every excuse in the book. The following Monday, however, I showed up to orchestra half asleep, with a black, carbon-fiber cello and a bright pink bow in my hand. Thanks, Mr. Hiett.

Joining orchestra at Regina Dominican, was and always will be one of the best decisions I have ever made. It is a community filled with love, understanding, acceptance, and freshly baked goods from Mrs. Hiett. More than that, we somehow manage to pull off an outstanding two concerts every school year, a few masses, and the annual fall musical. It is remarkable, but a reflection of the hard work of Regina students, as well as the legend himself, Mr. Dave Hiett.

I know that I will stay friends with the orchestra girls for a very long time. It is a privilege to shout “Did you do the Physics homework?”