Leeann Fragosa

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...

Many people assume they understand what it means to be a teacher simply because everyone has had a teacher in their lives. The reality is, one can only grasp the challenges and responsibilities of teaching by experiencing the job firsthand. When I taught second grade, I experienced students with various learning needs. A teacher’s role is to meet students where they are, and it can be difficult when every single student is different. I had students who were reading chapter books and others who were still learning to read. I had students who were struggling with addition and subtraction, while others were speeding through multiplication and division. Learning is not a one-size-fits-all system....

Many people assume they understand what it means to be a teacher simply because everyone has had a teacher in their lives. The reality is, one can only grasp the challenges and responsibilities of teaching by experiencing the job firsthand. When I taught second grade, I experienced students with various learning needs. A teacher’s role is to meet students where they are, and it can be difficult when every single student is different. I had students who were reading chapter books and others who were still learning to read. I had students who were struggling with addition and subtraction, while others were speeding through multiplication and division. Learning is not a one-size-fits-all system....

As the year comes to an end, I can’t help but reflect on everything I have experienced and accomplished this year. There are many instances, both in my career and in my personal life, when I pushed myself out of my comfort zone. I worked on patience and kindness, prioritized my mental and emotional health, and learned to say “no” even when it was hard. I focused on musical growth and surprised myself. Let’s take a walk down Leeann’s 2025 memory lane. At the beginning of this year, I was still a teacher. I was teaching second grade at Boonesborough Elementary School. The other day, I was looking for a specific video...

Buddy the Elf famously said, “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” If you haven’t made time to attend a concert, enjoy a Christmas play, or even just watch a holiday movie with your family, especially one filled with music, you might be missing out on the true spirit of the season. I was convinced my band days were over when I graduated from the University of the Cumberlands in May of 2024. I was so surprised and excited when I saw they were doing a community band for Christmas. That meant I didn’t have to be a student to play music with them. I...