Marching along to his own beat
Marietta teen works hard to set a good example for youth
Bhanu Thayaparan, 16, performs in the Marietta High School Wall of Sound. He has played many different instruments, including mallet (keyboard) instruments, drums and other auxiliary instruments over the years.
Aside from the band, Thayaparan also plays on the varsity tennis team. He has played tennis at Marietta High School for two years now.
Bhanu Thayaparan, 16, performs in the Marietta High School Wall of Sound. He has played many different instruments, including mallet (keyboard) instruments, drums and other auxiliary instruments over the years.
Aside from the band, Thayaparan also plays on the varsity tennis team. He has played tennis at Marietta High School for two years now.
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Bhanu Thayaparan, 16, is a junior at Marietta High School. He has been class president of the class of 2023 for the past two years and is involved in Model United Nations.
"Being class president has taught me so much about being a leader, and what it takes to get more people involved," he said.
Model UN is a simulation of the UN General Assembly and its "other multilateral bodies" where students perform an ambassador role while debating topics, such as gender equality, climate action and global health, among others.
"Model UN has greatly improved my public speaking and my ability to come up with effective solutions to problems," he said.
Upon finishing high school, Thayaparan said he plans to attending a four-year college and going to medical school to become a doctor.
But while in high school, Thayaparan is going to continue enjoying sports, his hobbies and being a percussionist in the school band.
"I've been a percussionist in school ensembles for six years now, starting in middle school," he said.
Thayaparan said throughout his years in the concert band, he has played many different instruments, including mallet (keyboard) instruments, drums and other auxiliary instruments.
"I've performed in the Marietta Wall of Sound for three years now, playing the marching bass drum my first year and snare drum the past two years," he said.
Thayaparan is the percussion section leader and his instructor Korey Parlin said through this role Thayaparan "demonstrates fantastic musical and leadership qualities on a daily basis."
"He consistently pushes his peers and himself to the best of their abilities while still remaining an individual who everyone appreciates and enjoys being around," said Parlin.
Thayaparan said as a musician, he loves being able to show off his skills and inspire others to take part in music programs offered in area schools.
"As the percussion section leader, I do my best to aid the members of my section in learning music and practicing musicianship," said Thayaparan. "As a leader in my section, I do my best to be a good example for our younger members as well as help guide our program in the right direction."
Thayaparan said he loves leading because he feels, as a leader, he can more directly help people grow and hone their skills, making them the best they can be.
Aside from the band, Thayaparan also plays on the varsity tennis team and participates in a few other extracurricular activities.
"I've played tennis for two years now, my first year being the year that was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic," he said.
Thayaparan said tennis has taught him so much about what he can be capable of as an athlete and a person, as well as what it takes to play and succeed as a team.
Madeline Scarborough can be reached at mscarborough@newsandsentinel.com