From meetings on Wednesday mornings to football games on Friday nights, and band practices on the nights in between, junior Caleb Hamilton is involved at the high school every day of the week.
“I’ve been involved in music since third grade, when my mom forced me to learn guitar,” Hamilton said. “At first it was against my will, but I began to excel at it and grew a liking to it. Above everything else, though, I love the stories that music tells, and the beauty that music holds.”
Hamilton did not solely stick with guitar in his future. Now, he is not only involved in drumline in the Battlin’ Bear Band, but he also leads the infamous Thunderclap at the football games and pep rallies.
“A large part of drumline is working as one unit to one large goal,” Hamilton said. “It’s really incredible to see the many different cogs with all sorts of different parts add up to create something nothing short of extraordinary.”
Band is not the only organization Hamilton is part of that includes the incorporation of many people, however. Bear Believers, a group that Hamilton is an officer of, is another example of a way Hamilton sees people become a community.
“It’s very inspiring to see how many people come together to set aside their differences and unite in Christ,” Hamilton said. “I can definitely speak from experience that Bear Believers has made an impact in my life. I encourage everyone to come in for a meeting, talk with any one of us, and even get involved with it.”
Hamilton’s faith is an important aspect of his life in many ways, not just in Bear Believers. Alongside his officer position, he also is the band chaplain.
“My faith in Christ, those around me in church, and my dad have always been in my life,” Hamilton said. “My faith drives me to be better every day, and my dad has done so much to build me up into who I am today, and he continues to inspire me and motivate me.”
Alongside the motivation of his father, Hamilton also has advice for the incoming freshmen of the years going forward to help them as well.
“Don’t let stuff get behind you, and don’t put things off,” Hamilton said. “Procrastination is a serious ailment that plagues all, and getting into a loop of being productive in earlier, relatively easier years of high school, can make all the difference in the next four years.”
Avoidance of procrastination in school is not the only topic Hamilton has advice on. He has some more real-world guidance in his belt as well.
“There is always a time to reflect on the things around you, and there is always a time to move on,” Hamilton said. “One of the biggest mistakes we can make is to stay stuck with moments in our past for too long, or to not spend enough time embracing what is around us. There is always a time for everything.”
