Hello everyone, it was great to see you all at the KMEA ISW in February! Many wonderful sessions were attended by collegiate members, including the panel session "Tips from the Trenches," excellent performances by all groups, and many opportunities to connect with KMEA Board Members, past teachers, and other collegiate members. I hope everyone enjoyed the conference.

Springtime in Kansas brings mixed feelings to many of us. For some out-of-staters, preparing for thunderstorms, hearing tornado warnings, and other new experiences with weather can be challenging. For Kansans like myself, we just sit back and ride out the storm. Despite the unpredictable weather, be sure to take a practice breather and walk around your campus—it is gorgeous outside.

After KMEA music students usually have a few weeks of classes, recitals, and meetings before an enjoyable spring break. Whether you took an exotic vacation, used the time catching up with friends from home, or simply slept off the first half of the semester, I hope you enjoyed it. After break it is quite the sprint to the finish line!

As you look forward to summer think about using the break for professional development. I spend my summers back home in southwest Kansas on the farm, helping out with various band camps, playing in the Garden City Municipal Band, and preparing for the coming fall. Here are some things I suggest you do to get the most out of your summer. All of them can help you in your future music classroom:

• Volunteer to help a local school music department by organizing music and uniforms or fixing minor instrument problems.
• Brush up on your techniques class skills by breaking out a trombone if you are a clarinet player.
• Take a class for fun. Some of you are probably thinking, "I just finished classes, why would I take more in the summer?!" I am serious. Take a non-music class or an extra-curricular music class in topics like Jazz, Hymnology, Introduction to Music Therapy or other various subjects that are interesting to you.
• Teach private lessons. Three months of lessons can help Johnny catch up to the sixth graders so he can be successful in band.
• Attend conferences like the Conn-Selmer Institute in Indiana because they are a way to learn new things and network with people across the country.
• Plan to include interesting clubs, organizations, ensembles, and extra-curricular activities in your fall semester. Make sure you schedule to attend KCOMTEP in Wichita on September 30-October 1!

Plan to attend the NAfME Collegiate Board meeting on June 2. We need a delegate from each chapter in the state to attend this business meeting.

Enjoy your last few weeks of school because it goes by too fast. I still cannot get over the fact I will be a junior in the fall. It seems like yesterday I was a rookie at band camp. Have a great break and finish strong!