Teachers touch our lives in many ways--they inspire us, lead us toward a career we may never have considered, and help us learn to be good citizens of the world. However, seldom do they get the credit and recognition that they deserve. So here at KRL, we like to feature some of those amazing teachers.
“Roll your window down.” This instruction came from my friend, Jill Bedford, as we approached Clovis East High School. We were here, along with Jill's daughter, Sarah Potter, to attend the San Joaquin Valley Color Guard & Percussion Review Classification Show. After spending most of 2015 attending parades, it was time to up my game. Since I'm crazy about marching bands, particularly drumlines, this seemed like the next logical step. What I stepped into was a different world.
I can't keep writing how great those Fiesta's of a half century ago were when every year there are fewer around to remember them. Thinking of friends gone by, a conversation came to mind between myself and the late Dennis Olson about the pride we both had when we watched our Reedley High "Pirate" Band march down Colorado Boulevard during the Pasadena Rose Parade in 2000. So, I thought to myself, "Self, what a better tribute to the Fiesta than to drop by and see Mr. Burl Walter Jr. and chronicle the story that led him to Reedley."
You’ve all heard them. They play during first period, both on the field and on the street. They rehearse every Thursday night from 7-9. They go to every football game and most recently put in an appearance at the Dinuba Raisin Day Parade and the Reedley Fiesta Parade.
