Student Leader Quotes
About Team-Building & Leadership Workshops
for High School Bands and Musical Groups
I really enjoyed the group sessions where we would present issues we are having as leaders and you would give us ideas or help us through these problems. This helped teach me that there is no one solution when running or being part of a group and that adaptation based on the people you are dealing with is necessary.
Student band leader
McKinney Boyd High School, Texas
I just wanted to extend my gratitude for what you do with our leaders. Your skills are crucial to our band. We really appreciate you more than you can imagine. You have helped me grow so much over the past year or so. You have not only made me a better leader but a better person as well. Continue to do what you do. Continue touching lives; you're amazing at it. There is not a doubt in my mind that I will carry your teachings with me the rest of my life. Thanks for believing in me.
Student band leader
Southwest High School, Texas
Mr. Ferrito helped me gain the self-confidence I needed to overcome my stuttering problem. I was once afraid to speak to someone in one-on-one conversation, much less to a large audience. Now, I'm considering entering public service by running for political office. I didn't even think this would be possible but I overcame my challenge and saw what great opportunities lay before me.
Student band leader
McKinney Boyd High School, Texas
This workshop has helped me become a better leader by helping me effectively communicate with others, including the other leaders. I realize now that I need to be flexible with others and communicate with them to come up with a solution we can agree on that would be best for everyone. It also helps me to know that the more stressful the situation, the more composed, focused and determined I have to be to accomplish what I set out to do.
Student band leader
McKinney Boyd High School, Texas
This workshop has enlightened me on how every aspect of life has factors, especially leadership. Everything we do has an effect around us. We must always be looking towards the future to anticipate what follows, and what we must do to help it be successful.
Student band leader
McKinney Boyd High School, Texas
This workshop has benefited me as a student because not only did it prepare me for band, it also helped me in school. Sometimes I blurt out a Ferritoism. It is a life experience I will never forget.
Student band leader
McKinney North High School, Texas
Through this workshop I have grown as a leader and as a person. For the 3 years that I have completed the workshops my confidence in leading others has greatly improved, as well as the skills enabling me to use this confidence.
Student band leader
McKinney North High School, Texas
This workshop has helped me realize my own worth as an individual within an ensemble of people. It has helped nurture my self-confidence and allowed me to approach them. It has taught me that risk is inevitably tied with success, but whether you fall or leap to grandeur, it is what you learn from the experience and whether you continue to strive for improvement that truly matters.
Student band leader
La Porte High School, Indiana
This workshop has taught me many skills as a student that will benefit me for the rest of my life. For instance, I learned how to properly communicate my thoughts in a group setting, and make compromises with other leaders. I also learned how to teach many different members. Being able to communicate with people will greatly help my future success.
Student band leader
La Porte High School, Indiana
I have realized that I want to be a teacher because I love teaching. These workshops have taught me a lot. I've realized the reason we lead and the reason we teach. It's because every student always has that one favorite teacher in their life that has made a difference and has changed their life. If I could be a teacher to one kid…., even if it's one kid out of the 30 years I know that my job was worth it because I changed that one kids life. That's a great feeling!
Student band leader
Denison High School, Texas
I realized that encouragement is so very important, drama gets you know where and I can always improve.
Student band leader
Denison High School, Texas
These workshops have really helped me to listen to other people and incorporate their plans for the group as a whole. I have attended 3 years of workshops and the Ferritoisms have definitely stuck with me.
Student band leader
Denison High School, Texas
Mostly the workshops helped me with time management and delegation. Balancing a senior year with being a band Drum Major, horse riding, college applications, working and AP classes would have been impossible with my habits from junior year. It's nice to know that even under constant stress, trusting my team and not procrastinating help me get everything done. Additionally, the workshops helped my communication and interview skills. The communication helped things run more smoothly in band this year, and the interviews with potential universities are going well.
Student band leader
Lamar High School, Texas
I have definitely grown as a person and as a leader because of the workshops. Some of the things I learned in the workshop I applied to school work and my teachers have responded better to my requests. This is the best workshop on leadership I have been to.
Student band leader
Lamar High School, Texas
There are many countless moments when I have thought back to the different tools we learned in the workshops and then applied them to my particular situations in band and outside of band.
Student band leader
Lamar High School, Texas
Your program was absolutely inspirational. The activities you planned were very effective. Due to the success of the two-day program, the drill team and band formed a much more amiable relationship. We also accomplished much more in less time. We still believe in our mission statement. The skills and ideas you awakened in us flowed into classes throughout campus.
Student band leader
Dulles High School Band, Texas
Hello, Mr. Ferrito,
I really wanted to let you know that this has probably been one of the greatest challenging experiences of my life, and it is really helping me grow and prepare for my role as not only a leader but a person. I thank you for that.
Student band leader
LaPorte High School, Indiana
The conference we attended not only teaches you how to become a great leader, but it helps you find yourself so that you can push yourself to wake the leader in you. I learned that not only can I be a good leader by helping the community, raising funds, and promoting school spirit and unity, but also by helping and encouraging others to be, lead and learn the best way that they can.
Student leader
Commonwealth High School, Puerto Rico
Dear Mr. Ferrito:
I never thought that a two day workshop could teach me so much. When I look back and remember that Oct.9th and 10th, I can only think of how great those days were for the Student Council and myself. I've learned that I must trust people to be able to handle stuff. I have already started to delegate more responsibilities to my officers, which is something that all leaders must learn. I would like to thank you, Mr. Ferrito, for allowing me to have a chance to learn about myself and about my peers. I would also like to thank you for giving me a chance to accept and believe in myself.
Student leader
Commonwealth High School, Puerto Rico
In my opinion this workshop is the most productive leadership conference. In just a span of two days, I learned how to better communicate by not saying "ums" and "likes" and how to work in a team more effectively by consuming time wisely. This workshop was a great experience that I am looking forward to participating in again.
Student leader
Commonwealth High School, Puerto Rico