I was immediately intrigued when I was tasked with writing an article on a surprise retirement party for Lakeland High School’s band teacher, Mark Sescilla.
Alumni students from many years ago, all gathering back again for one teacher, seemed like the perfect story. I remembered students’ dedication to his band and choir and the passion all of Sescilla’s students shared for the music they played.
I remembered Sescilla smiling and leading his band on the bleachers at basketball games and the love shared between the group of students.
When I dived deeper into the research for the story, I realized that the impact Sescilla had on this school was stronger than I ever would have imagined.
“I would say Sescilla had a big impact on my high school years. Not many athletes also do band, and Sescilla has brightened my morning every day since Freshman year.” Carter Vanek said.
I saw Facebook comments from people who graduated 10-20 years ago, reminiscing on Sescilla’s impact on their lives. I arrived at the auditorium and saw a room filled with a family, touched by the kindness and patience of one man.
Every once in a while, a person enters the world of many strangers and teaches them things that will stay in their hearts forever. For many of the past and current Lakeland students, this person was Sescilla.
“I graduated 14 years ago, this man was a huge influence in my life. Mark was an amazing man who helped me grow as a man and was an amazing example of a man of God.” Brandt Starosta commented on Lakleands Facebook post.
A final note struck the audience’s ears as the LHS band closed out their final concert for the 2023-2024 school year. A buzzing community filled every available seat in the High School auditorium, and an overflow of people stood around watching Mark Sescilla conduct a large group of kids to create music and memories one last time.
Sescilla was then led into the gym, filled with past students gathered to throw a surprise party to honor the work he put in for them and the guidance he provided. Some of the people had never been a student of Sescillas but admired his work immensely.
“I never went to Lakeland, but with my interactions with Mark and his program and the NIC music program, he’s going to be missed. Congrats!” Bradley Jordan commented on the Lakeland Facebook post.
The party was filled with people touched by Sescilla’s ability to teach and lead. While happiness and smiles filled the room, a hint of bittersweet sadness lingered through the air, as many of Sescillas students will miss him during his retirement greatly.
All of Sescillas students are very grateful for all of the lessons and wonderful memories Sescilla left them with.
Students and teachers influence each other’s lives tremendously, and retirement for teachers can feel like leaving a family. As Sescilla led his band and choir one last time before retirement, the family bond showed more than ever.
“I always like his Wednesday words of wisdom as he would give us very inspirational quotes every Wednesday,” Sardinha said.
“He is kind. He was always willing to do stuff for our class if it wasn’t within his schedule. I’ll miss him very dearly,” Sardinha said.
The Lakeland Hawks know that the school will never be the same without Sescilla, and he will be missed deeply by every single one of his students.
He impacted everyone at Lakeland with music and wisdom, guiding students toward greatness for many years.
Not only did Sescilla teach music, but he also taught what it means to be a part of a family.
