When Cheryl Weir’s oldest son went into the sixth grade and
joined the Rancho-Maze band, she felt the need to help with his
musical pursuits in any way she could.
Hollister – When Cheryl Weir’s oldest son went into the sixth grade and joined the Rancho-Maze band, she felt the need to help with his musical pursuits in any way she could.
So she started volunteering for the booster club.
Now he’s in college, playing the saxophone in the marching band at California State, Fresno, but Weir is still a booster mom. Currently, she serves as treasurer for both the Rancho-Maze and San Benito High School bands’ boosters.
“The band needs a lot of support,” Weir said. “It’s good for your kids to see you’re involved and care about what they’re doing.”
Her involvement with the high school’s band boosters comes despite the fact that none of her three sons currently play in that band. Still, she felt it was necessary that she continue to offer her help until her youngest son, currently at Rancho, comes to the high school.
“It’s hard to get volunteers who are willing and have the time,” Weir said.
Weir volunteers around four hours of her time most weeks, but more during competition season.
With her duties as treasurer, Weir helps the students keep track of their payments and pays the bills. As a booster, she said she helps pursue community donations and also helps students raise money on their own to pay for their competition buses.
“We help give fundraising opportunities because transportation costs are huge,” she said.
For marching band, it’s around $200 per person for transportation costs, Weir noted.
Although the hours are sometimes long between being a band mom and a band booster, Weir said it’s worth it to watch the kids compete.
“I live vicariously my past over again,” Weir said. “Being a band geek from way back when, I get to see my kids do the same thing I did. As the parents, it’s definitely a sense of accomplishment that we get seeing the kids.”
Weir added that through volunteering as a booster parent for both bands, and also through her job – she works as a secretary at Rancho – she enjoys that she can watch the kids grow up.
“I really feel like they’re all my kids in some way,” Weir said. “I love seeing them go on.”
