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A Step Above: Brandon DeWitte
Palo Verde High School
Class of 2014
In Brandon DeWitte, one finds ability, benevolence and an understanding of balance that most working adults are still trying to achieve. The senior at Palo Verde High School strives for quality in all he does, practicing and dedicating himself to surpassing his goals, and his hunger for bettering the world around him through philanthropy and meaningful service is uplifting. The skilled musician appreciates the need for a joyful outlet in a world sometimes consumed with work, and in turn creates a gift for the rest of us, placing him – A Step Above.
Music/Scholarship
- Palo Verde Wind Ensemble, 2010-Present
- Pep Band, Jazz Band, 2010- Present
- Marching Band, 2010-Present
- Clark County School District Honor Band, 2013
- Clark County School District Honor Jazz Band, 2013
- Low Reed Section Leader, 2011-2012
- Palo Verde Band Librarian, 2011-2012
Awards/Community Service
- Letter and Pin for Band
- 5 Superior Ratings in Solo & Ensemble, 2012-2013
- Most outstanding Concert Band member, 2010-2011
- 2 Excellent Ratings in Solo & Ensemble, 2011
- Northwest Youth Empowerment Council (NYEC), 2011-Present; Mayor, 2013-2014
- City of Las Vegas Youth Neighborhood Association Partnership Program Board (YNAPP), 2012-Present
You have a great outlook on balance as you enter your college years: “My main goal at the moment is to go to college and study engineering, music, or both. I hope to never have anything come in the way of my ability to play music because it is something that I have always enjoyed. My future goal is to achieve a job that I enjoy to work at and that I also have a passion for. In 10 years, I see myself having a career that I’ve worked hard to achieve. I want to use all of the life skills I have learned as a teenager to be successful as an adult. With this, I also see myself having a family with a great family relationship.”
Music and band rank high on your accomplishment list: “The accomplishments that I am most proud of are being selected for the 2013 CCSD Honor Band, and the 2013 CCSD Honor Jazz Band. It allowed me to set a goal with a date, and to create a step-by-step process in order to achieve. Both bands had blind auditions in order to be selected and were open to all high school students. A couple weeks after the auditions, I found out that I was selected for both CCSD Honor Band and Honor Jazz Band. This was a great accomplishment because several hundred students auditioned.”
What is a key issue facing young adults today and how might you be a part of the solution? “This question is something we constantly ask in the NW Youth Council. The NW Youth Council focuses on problems that are affecting youth in the northwest portion of the valley. What we’ve come to realize is that there are over 6,800 CCSD students that are homeless in Las Vegas, with 1,100 of those students being high school students. For some reason, high school students are ignored by society more often than those in elementary or middle school. For this reason, the NW Youth Council often selects community service projects that will help less fortunate high school students in our valley.”
Picture this: You’re the President of a non-profit…what would it be? “I would like to be president of Project 150. The organization reaches out the local schools in the valley to help less fortunate students. They collect donations to help feed homeless students and their families. They also collect clothing donations that they give away at their warehouse.”
Favorite Quote to Live By:
“Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.” –Oscar Wilde
Wow, congratulation on your achievements Brandon. This article reflects your selfless passion to serve others in need. I know you will surpass your goals. Hope you stay connected with Project 150 – you sure would be an asset to our team. Keep up the hard work and follow your dreams. God bless you in your endeavors!
Meli