Jackson Ulrich admitted to having some trepidation about spending a week in Hays as part of a rigorous band camp in advance of the Kansas Shrine Bowl football game.
The senior-to-be at Iola High School hadn’t partaken in such an environment before, enduring daylong band drills with a collection of high-schoolers he’d never met.
That he was in Hays, halfway across the state, wasn’t much comfort.
His father, Brek, expected to receive a call within the first day or two from Jackson asking to come home.
But by Day 3, his son’s tenor changed.
Many of those strangers had become friends, and Jackson, son of Brek and Elizabeth Ulrich, had begun adapting to the fast-paced music sessions.
By the time the all-star football game came around July 15, Jackson’s only regret was that the experience was over.
“I loved it,” the trumpet player said Tuesday, while visiting with members of Iola’s Masonic Lodge. “I hope to do it again.”
The Kansas Masons and Shriners organizations host the annual Shrine Bowl, which raises funds for Shriners hospitals across the country, offering free health care services for children.
The festivities included a banquet, parade and several other community activities, both with Shriner’s members and some of the children who have benefitted from their services.
This year’s celebration had a special flavor because it was the 50th annual football game, with added alumni events.
The experience not only gave Jackson a memorable experience in his first-ever real extended stay away from home, but it also instilled a greater love of music, he said.
In fact, Jackson’s new hobby may lead to a career after high school — restoring, repairing, and even rebuilding musical instruments. He noted the nearest such repair studio is in Joplin, with a dearth of instrument repair shops in southeast Kansas.
Gabby Carr, another Iola musician, was a part of the Shriners All-star Band as well. A third Iolan, Krystina Hurst, also earned an invitation, but was unable to partake in the experience after she and her family moved to Colorado.
JACKSON is prepared for his senior year at IHS with renewed vigor.
