10
S MOKE S IGNALS
NOVEMBER 15, 2014
High school musical
Eighth-grader
Olivia Schultz plays
in the big band
By Ron Karten
Smoke Signals staff writer
SALEM — “To see the look and
smile on her face when the march-
ing band is competing, or she’s play-
ing at a high school football game
on Friday night, is worth a million
dollars,” says Kevin Schultz about
his daughter, Olivia, a 13-year-
old Judson Middle School student
who has had the rare opportunity
to play in a high school marching
band this year.
Olivia’s big break came at
Sprague High School, where a bro-
ken leg and a few other openings
in the marching band made way
for Olivia.
“Dr. (Richard) Greenwood
(Sprague marching band professor)
has heard me before in the middle
school band, and he knew I was
dedicated,” says Olivia.
Olivia has been playing clarinet
since fourth grade and saxophone
since sixth. “I gradually picked up
the saxophone in sixth grade, and
became really confi dent with both
of them,” she says.
While saxophone was her instru-
ment of choice, she says, “I had to
start out on a main instrument. But
clarinet is just like a sax. They’re
very similar in a lot of ways.”
It was all a natural progression,
Olivia says. Of the saxophone, she
adds, “Even before taking up the
clarinet, the saxophone was my
fi rst ambition. It just kind of ap-
pealed to me. I’ve been in love with
it ever since.”
Today, she is full-time on the
saxophone, with the clarinet a part
of her past. “It just didn’t appeal to
me as I got older. When I quit (the
clarinet), I was grateful that the
Courtesy photo
Eighth-grader Olivia Schultz attends
Judson Middle School in Salem
but has had the rare opportunity
to play in the Sprague High School
marching band this year.
marching band came up.
“You never know what, but some-
thing defi nitely will fi ll up the extra
time.”
The fi rst day or two of working
with the high school marching
band, Olivia says, “I kind of got
the hang of it, and as the season
progressed, it was just kind of a
natural feeling to me, I guess.
“In my generation, there are not a
lot who are into music. When I was
with the marching band, I found
people with a passion for music just
like me. The fi rst day, I felt like I
was one of them. They’re probably
the sweetest, funniest, most genu-
ine people I know.”
Meanwhile, as if the high school
marching band was not enough,
Olivia also plays in two middle
school bands.
“It’s a lot of work,” she says, “but
it’s really worth it. I’m doing what I
love, so I’m perfectly OK with that.
It’s not a miserable thing for me to
be busy. I couldn’t ask for a better
thing to do.”
“I see her doing homework during
breakfast,” says Kevin. “She puts
in 12- to 14-hour days. It’s just
remarkable.”
Kevin is a division commander for
the Marion County Sheriff’s Offi ce.
He and his wife, Julie, believe that
if you can keep children involved in
“time-consuming and challenging”
pursuits, they are less likely to get
into trouble.
As for outside activities, Olivia
spent fi ve years studying karate,
earning a brown belt. That, too, is
part of her past now.
As for academic work, Olivia
says, “I’m really good at health
stuff, like the human body and how
the brain works.”
And at 13, her view of her future
is musical.
“I see myself being a musician,
but if that doesn’t work out, I’m
thinking about being a therapist
for people with depression, eating
disorders, that kind of stuff,” she
says. “I think it’s today’s society,
really; in social media, you see all
this. I don’t want anyone to suffer.
If I can’t do that with music, there
has to be some other way. I know
that there are people out there who
do suffer, and I just want to be able
to help them when the time comes.”
Kevin and his three children are
members of the Tribe. His other
daughter is Spencer, 22.
Today, older brother Jordan, 26,
works for KXL in Portland and
Spencer is a senior at Western
Oregon University, majoring in
exercise science.
Kevin has served on the Spirit
Mountain Casino Board of Di-
rectors and the Tribal Fish and
Wildlife Committee. Olivia has
competed at powwows.
Jordan, in his high school days,
was all-state in jazz choir. He is
Olivia’s biggest infl uence.
“They have a special bond,” says
Kevin.
“He was a great infl uence on me,”
said Olivia. “He took me to concerts
when I was growing up. To this day,
he supports me in every way. It’s
just awesome.” n
Tutors available to help
Youth Education K-12 staff will be available on Monday, Dec. 15,
to support parents, teachers and youth during the Willamina School
District’s Parent-Teacher conferences. Contact your child’s Tribal tutor
at Youth Education by calling 503-879-2101 if you would like them to
be a part of your scheduled meeting. n
OPPORTUNITIES
PROGRAM
The gift of
relief.
The sooner you call
Willamette Valley Hospice,
the more experienced
support we can provide.
University of Oregon representatives will be visiting the Confederated Tribes
of Grand Ronde and the Willamina and Sheridan School Districts to share with
students and families, the many opportunities at the University for students to
help them prepare for higher education. All families are welcome!
©2013 Willamette Valley Hospice
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2014
5:30 p . m . – 8:00 p . m .
dinner & childcare
To learn more, call 503.588.3600 or visit wvh.org
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© 2014 opportunities program
ADULT EDUCATION CENTER
9615 GRAND RONDE ROAD
GRAND RONDE, OR 97347
workshops & panels
Kevin Simmons
fun prizes
opportunities.uoregon.edu
503-879-1345
541-346-1067
Kevin.Simmons@grandronde.org
opportunities@uoregon.edu