By DJ Moore

Sarah Dalton has been enjoying her senior year at Eastside High School as she looks to continue showing off her natural-born leadership ability, not just for her school community but for the entire Covington/Newton County community. 

Dalton is a drum major for the Eagles’ band but being a drum major wasn’t part of the original plan for her as she wanted to be just a band captain for “The Pride of Eastside. But her passion for music naturally led to her drum major, and that passion started when she was inspired by her brother in middle school. 

“Over time I found out that I have a passion for music, and that passion led more into wanting to help others have that same passion,” said Dalton. Dalton decided to play the saxophone but when it came to being a drum major, she finds that to be more fun.

Being the natural leader that she is, Dalton finds ways to give advice to her fellow bandmates who looks up to her. 

“What I always tell my bandmates is to just have fun with it while you can because I am a senior, and this is my last year and I’m going to miss it,” said Dalton.   

When Dalton isn’t being active with the band, she is a proud member of the Eastside’s Future Farmers of America Chapter. She realized that being part of Eastside’s FFA chapter would benefit her in the long run. 

“Being a member of FFA has helped me get out of my comfort zone and in my freshman year of high school,” she said. “(Before then) I really didn’t talk to anybody. I would like to thank Mr. (Marcus) Pollard for helping me with overcoming my shyness.”

Dalton is on track to graduate with honors from Eastside High School and though she’s not sure yet where she’ll go, she’s certain that she’ll attend college next Fall and major in either in music or agriculture, continuing to build upon her most natural passions and extend her leadership abilities in larger contexts.