Anissa Massey, daughter of Marcus Massey and Debra Dorn Massey, will be attending Eastern Illinois University and will be an honors student. Her major is music education with instrumental focus with her main instrument being the trumpet.
What other sports and activities – clubs, organizations, groups (in and out of school) have you been in during your time at NCHS? Also include things like IMEA, musicals, pit or cast, and anything else you can think of.
I did four years of marching, p, and concert band. With that, I also did two years of LIC pep band, three years of ILMEA District Band, and three years of Solo and Ensemble.
Outside of school, I have participated in the Robinson community band for three years.
I was a soloist in my sophomore and junior year (Imagination and Into the Light) and was awarded ‘Outstanding Soloist’ at the 41st Annual Panther Marching Band Festival in 2017.
I have been a member of the Spanish and Math club for four years and Beta Club for two years. I am a member of the National Honor Society.
What made you decide this school was the best fit for you?
Eastern has everything I could ask for and it’s close to home. The times I’ve made visits to the school, I just felt so sure of my decisions and incredibly optimistic about my future there. The teachers are truly all in for the students and there’s a sense of camaraderie.
How do you feel NCHS has prepared you for this next step in life?
My teachers made sure I knew what was expected of them and made sure I knew that I was in charge of my own education. That I was only going to get out of it what I put into it. I feel that high school has allowed me to develop as an independent being and I feel very ready to go out and take on the world.
What are at least two life lessons you have learned from your musical time at NCHS ?
As cliche as it is, practice makes perfect and you are in charge of your own success. You can’t expect everything to be spoon fed to you. Take the initiative.
How have your instructors and/or directors helped prepare you to perform at a collegiate level?
My directors spoke from their own experience of what would be expected of me as a collegiate musician. They thoroughly answered any questions I had. And just in general, they supported me during my time in the music program and encouraged me throughout. I am extremely grateful to have been apart of this music program and will always look back on it fondly.
My directors spoke from their own experience of what would be expected of me as a collegiate musician. They thoroughly answered any questions I had. And just in general, they supported me during my time in the music program and encouraged me throughout. I am extremely grateful to have been apart of this music program and will always look back on it fondly.
What will you miss the most next year about not being a Newton Eagle?
Out of everything, the thing I will miss the most about being a Newton Eagle is the sense of community and familiarity. I always felt at home and supported during my time at school. If I had any problems at school, I knew there would be someone I could talk to and help me address the issue.
