Thank you, Mr. Nagy
I have been blessed to have incredible teachers, coaches, mentors, and family members. I could write volumes about how each of them shaped my life and made me who I am. As I reflected on all of the teachers in my life, there was one in particular that I always go back to, and every time I get the opportunity, I thank him.
I met Tom Nagy when I was in elementary school as he was our band instructor. I played the percussion all through my school years and ultimately he became my marching band instructor as well. I still remember all of the marching band competitions that we entered and the hours upon hours of practice. Mr. Nagy is one of the kindest and most generous people that I ever met, but he also would not accept anything but our very best. Although I didn’t love him during band camp every year, all of the lessons that he taught us about repetition and adversity and being kind to people have never left me. I honestly don’t think I would be where I am were it not for Mr. Nagy and his marching band at Central Cambria High School.
I will certainly never be a best-selling author nor as well-known as Patricia Polacco, but I want Mr. Nagy to know that he impacted my life and I will be forever grateful to him. I apologize to him for groaning and grunting when he asked for us to do a certain section again or when I was never able to play a triplet on a bass drum for one of our songs. Thank you, April, for bailing me out and thank you Mr. Nagy for understanding that it was something that I just wasn’t able to do.
Ultimately, all I have to say is, thank you Mr. Nagy.
Jeffrey Bellomo