Leeann Fragosa

If you read my column last week, you know that I joined the London Community Band after several years of not participating. Since then, I’ve been to a couple of rehearsals, and I wanted to update you on how it’s going. I can’t believe how many years have gone by since I last participated. It feels like it was only a couple years ago. After thinking about it though, I don’t think I have participated since I graduated high school in 2019. There are members of the band I haven’t spoken to or even seen in person since then, and some I hadn’t seen in even longer. That’s a hard thought...

Last Friday morning, I got on Facebook and was devastated to learn Jack Walker had died. Mr. Walker was a cherished member of our local band community, and the news hit me hard. Mr. Walker was a prominent figure in the band world who impacted generations of students. He was someone I had a great deal of respect and appreciation for. He believed in me when I was in high school band. He encouraged me when I was doing well and reassured me when I felt like I wasn’t. He fought for me because he believed in me. I remember one time he told me I was a great musician, and hearing...

One of the things I did not realize would become one of my favorite parts of being a reporter is the relationships I have made in the community. I would consider myself a mix of an extrovert and introvert. It honestly just depends on the day and how I am feeling. Sometimes I am full of energy and want to socialize with everyone around me, but once I hit my limit, I crash out. Other times, I enjoy just being quiet and listening to the conversations happening around me. As a reporter, relationships matter. Depending on the story you are covering, you rely on people in the community to help...

I recently experienced one of the greatest joys of my life. I saw my favorite band, BTS, in Las Vegas with my sister. It was a smooth, fun and safe trip. As I explained in my last opinion column, I got on a plane for the first time. I told you all I would update you on that experience and whether I would develop a fear so I will do that first. Airplanes are weird and clouds look funny up close. I think airplanes are weird because the whole process felt unreal: boarding, being in the air, the pilot knowing how to land and where to land. I also think clouds...

In approximately two weeks or less, I will be seeing my favorite band of 10 years in concert in Las Vegas with my sister. I am still in denial because it does not feel real. We will also be getting on a plane for the first time ever. Panic mode: activated. I have always wondered if I have a fear of planes. I always thought I did, but I have never actually been on one, so I’m not sure how I’ll respond. Knowing my fear of heights, it is safe to say I will likely be full of fear. I will give you an update soon on how I will...

There is nothing greater than watching a dream come true. A dream, to me, is something deeply desired yet just out of reach. We can visualize it but achieving it is only possible through patience, dedication, time and work. A dream comes in all sizes and can have multiple layers to it. With enough effort, dreams do come true. Right now, my great friend Dustin Ryan is living proof of that. My friend Dustin recently debuted his first single, “Settling the Score,” with help from his manager and friend, Nick Sturms. The song is a call for unity during hard times. I first met Dustin when I joined the Old...

I went to the Excellence in Leadership Series at the University of the Cumberlands (UC) to see James Clear for work. I left feeling like a completely different person. Listening to him talk about identity made me think about my own—who I am now, and who I was when I was a student there. When I arrived on campus, I didn’t have to think about where I was going. I had walked that route so many times. I graduated from UC in May of 2024. I know that wasn’t that long ago, but it feels like everything has changed in such a short amount of time. The goals and dreams I...

I tend to complain here and there in everyday conversation, but I don’t think I have ever complained in my opinion articles. Today is the day that changes. I am going to complain about… drum roll, please… artificial intelligence (A.I.) generated flyers. Get ready, folks, because I’m at my limit with this topic. I feel a strong rage when I am scrolling through social media and spot a flyer made by A.I. It feels like creativity takes a backseat. It’s obvious when the flyers are created by ChatGPT because they all look the same: the font, font size, colors, and seasonal stickers. It’s all milked from the same cow. Honestly, I’d rather...

Happy March Fourth! For those unaware, March Fourth is a day for marching band members—past and present—to reflect on and appreciate their time in marching band. March Fourth also coincides with Music in Our Schools Month, a time dedicated to recognizing music educators and the work they do to keep music alive in our schools. I participated in marching band throughout middle school, high school and college. I have officially lost count of the number of shows I was in, but I believe it was nine. My experience was both positive and educational. I learned from my peers, expressed myself creatively and musically, endured challenging moments, and gained leadership opportunities with the support...

What are you passionate about? For many people, the answer can be a number of things. For me, though, the answer is clear: music. Music has shaped my character since childhood. Some of my fondest memories are playing piano and singing gospel songs with my momma. She taught me how to harmonize and play chords, planting the seeds for my lifelong connection to music. I’ve always considered myself a “band geek.” Over the years, I’ve learned to play piano, flute, and ukulele. I didn’t fall in love with music right away. There were times I wanted to quit, but my momma wouldn’t let me. She saw something in me that I couldn’t...