| Savanna Band & Colorguard Savanna High School Mighty Marching Rebels Anaheim, California |
| Carlos - We Remember |
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| From Mr. Belski: It is with great sadness that I announce that we have lost a great member of the Savanna Band Family. On May 22, 2008, junior saxophonist Carlos Chavez passed away at his home in Buena Park. He was a good friend to many, a constant source of humor, a good son, and a good musician. He will be missed by all of us. |
From the President
This site is dedicated to the students of the Savanna Band & Colorguard; their highlights, facts, figures, and
people of note – a celebration of accomplishments and those that made them possible. And while we are going
to tell you about that, and some things to expect in the future – it is also a site that is overshadowed by
immense sadness. Sadness for our lost family member, Carlos Chavez.
Many of you reading this know Carlos better than I – but I can tell you a little about the Carlos that I saw – and
that is epitomized by the picture of him and the Saxophone section down below. Over the past year, much to
some people’s annoyance, I have been able to take over 1900 pictures of the students at their activities. My
little camera is almost always with me.
Obviously I enjoy capturing the faces of the students and sharing them with you. Over the past few days I have
gone over most of those pictures. One sequence of events though caught my eye. That was the sequence of
pictures of the students heading out to perform for Band Spectacular last November. In that series there were
many shots of students parading by – smiling, waving, and some even hiding from me. Yet there was one shot
of some one almost dancing their way on to the field. Leading the pack. Hat in hand, thumbs up, saxophone
swaying – I know the image is a little grainy and dark, but there is no mistaking that smile – is anyone surprised
that it is Carlos?
We miss that smile, that joke, that heart of joy.
I know that with the sadness there comes disbelief and questions. This site is hardly the forum for such a
discussion – however, I want you to know that there are people out there willing to talk to you, be with you, to
just sit with you and listen. The school has counselors available, as well as many local churches and other
centers. Will the answers always be clean cut? I don’t know, but sometimes the best process of healing is just
starting the process itself. Talking, remembering, and honoring. One of the worst things you can do is bottle it
up inside you. If you have a hard time finding someone to talk to, please let Mr. Belski know, or myself, and we
will help getting you in touch with the right people.
Oh, and there is one more thing you can do. It sounds silly – but it helps. Go and hug your family again today.
Whether you are a student or parent or friend or family reading this, go hug someone now, even if you have
already done it once today. Do it again. Life is too short to worry about being “too old” for that.
Sincerely,
Bill
This site is dedicated to the students of the Savanna Band & Colorguard; their highlights, facts, figures, and
people of note – a celebration of accomplishments and those that made them possible. And while we are going
to tell you about that, and some things to expect in the future – it is also a site that is overshadowed by
immense sadness. Sadness for our lost family member, Carlos Chavez.
Many of you reading this know Carlos better than I – but I can tell you a little about the Carlos that I saw – and
that is epitomized by the picture of him and the Saxophone section down below. Over the past year, much to
some people’s annoyance, I have been able to take over 1900 pictures of the students at their activities. My
little camera is almost always with me.
Obviously I enjoy capturing the faces of the students and sharing them with you. Over the past few days I have
gone over most of those pictures. One sequence of events though caught my eye. That was the sequence of
pictures of the students heading out to perform for Band Spectacular last November. In that series there were
many shots of students parading by – smiling, waving, and some even hiding from me. Yet there was one shot
of some one almost dancing their way on to the field. Leading the pack. Hat in hand, thumbs up, saxophone
swaying – I know the image is a little grainy and dark, but there is no mistaking that smile – is anyone surprised
that it is Carlos?
We miss that smile, that joke, that heart of joy.
I know that with the sadness there comes disbelief and questions. This site is hardly the forum for such a
discussion – however, I want you to know that there are people out there willing to talk to you, be with you, to
just sit with you and listen. The school has counselors available, as well as many local churches and other
centers. Will the answers always be clean cut? I don’t know, but sometimes the best process of healing is just
starting the process itself. Talking, remembering, and honoring. One of the worst things you can do is bottle it
up inside you. If you have a hard time finding someone to talk to, please let Mr. Belski know, or myself, and we
will help getting you in touch with the right people.
Oh, and there is one more thing you can do. It sounds silly – but it helps. Go and hug your family again today.
Whether you are a student or parent or friend or family reading this, go hug someone now, even if you have
already done it once today. Do it again. Life is too short to worry about being “too old” for that.
Sincerely,
Bill
Carlos Adalberto Chavez
Born: June 8, 1991
Passed: May 22, 2008
Born: June 8, 1991
Passed: May 22, 2008
| Carlos at the head of the pack going to our Band Spectacular performance, November 2007 |
