Andrew F Poor

My connection with Michelle was not forged over many years or through the trials and tribulations of drum corps. This story, however, I think speaks volumes to Michelle's character and love for helping people.

I was the director of a small band program with limited financial resources because of the economics of the community. We desperately needed to improve our guard program and I had reached out to numerous color guard people in the area looking for help. Some were gracious and guided me toward other people. Some never returned my call. Some were rather direct that the amount of money we could pay was 1/4 of what they would normally charge. I was about to give up when Alfred Watkins suggested I call Michelle. She agreed the amount of money was low, but she said, "I will find a way to help your kids." What did she do? She designed the winter show, help set-up the fundamental program, helped find someone to also help teach, and checked-up on us about every two weeks. All of this was above and beyond what we originally discussed and more than we could have imagined. The guard went on to finish 4th or 5th in the novice class out of 11 or 12. It was a fun show and the kids loved performing it. Her love of performing, teaching and helping others made a great impact on those students and I have never forgotten that generosity. Her love of people, the guard activity and a drive to help others, made her the quintessential

servant-leader. We before me. When we would cross paths at drum corps or guard events, Michelle always smiled and asked about my students and my family and greeted me with a hug. Our interactions were not many, but she was an amazing person and I deeply valued her friendship.

Life is not fair! She should have never had to endure this pain and she should still be with us. Acceptance will come at some point. Finding solace in how she lived her life and serving others is taking some pain away. Thank you,

Michelle. You made a difference.