NORTH JACKSON Marching toward success

The band director tells students that if they work hard, sacrifice and keep a positive attitude, they can succeed.
By IAN HILL
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
NORTH JACKSON -- The sign on the Jackson-Milton High School band room door reads "A Tradition of Excellence." It's a tradition that band director Dave Drevna encourages his students to maintain, both inside and outside the band room.
"I hope what they do [in band] translates into life," he said.
Drevna's commitment to excellence and self-improvement draws praise from his students and accolades from state band judges. On May 4, the Jackson-Milton band earned its eighth-straight top ranking from the Ohio Music Education Association. Over the years, the association has honored the band with a total of 22 plaques marking its excellence.
Jessie Perkins, an 18-year-old senior who plays clarinet in the band, said the ranking is the result of "a lot of time, a lot of hard work." She also stressed that "if it wasn't for Mr. Drevna, no one would care."
"He's an A-plus director," said Steve Matasic, a 17-year-old senior who plays trombone.
Sarah Sexton, an 18-year-old senior percussionist, added that Drevna helps instill a sense of pride and self-respect in his students.
Dedication
Sexton and the other 70 students in the band spend 43 minutes each day practicing in class under Drevna's direction. Drevna has worked in the Jackson-Milton schools for 30 years, and he's served as band director for 15 years. He also has worked as a music teacher.
Drevna said that when pupils first take part in band as eighth-graders, he explains to them that they will be expected to make sacrifices as a member of the group. Pupils might not be able to attend typical high school events like parties because they have to perform with the band, he said.
The band performs in concerts and at community events like a recent Memorial Day parade.
Drevna also said that he asks band members to follow his "formula for success."
"I've been preaching this for a long time: commitment, work ethic and a positive attitude," he said. Drevna stressed that his students must maintain a positive attitude and focus on music when they're in class.
"When we are here, we are here for a purpose," he said. "We're here to make music. We leave the other stuff at the door."
Drevna asks his students to come to him if they're having a bad day.
"They'll come to me with problems. We'll handle it as it occurs," he said.
Drevna said that some of his former students have been known to visit him and cheer him up when he's having a bad day.
"They're a good bunch of kids," he said.
hill@vindy.com