A Kuemper grad is thrilled to be back in the mix, striking up the Blue Steel Buena Vista University (BVU) pep band in recent weeks. Sophomore, Samantha Hays, set aside her flute from concert band to return to her role as director, pumping up fans and athletes with pieces such as “All About That Bass” and “Final Countdown” while incorporating COVID mitigation measures. Hays looks back to her first experience at the helm. “As a director in the first game or two, I was caught up in the energy of the game and just being there,” she says, “so maybe I went a little fast.” According to BVU Director of Athletic Bands, Tiff Wurth, “Going a little fast while setting the musical tempo at an athletic contest sure beats the alternative; not playing at all.” Hays is not majoring in music. She is studying secondary education, social science and history. But it was the chance to join Marching Blue, BVU’s marching band which was resurrected after nearly two decades, that drew her to the Storm Lake campus. Hays was a drum major for three years at Kuemper and she landed a role as field conductor for Marching Blue in her freshman year. Since then, she has participated in concert band and worked her way up to directing Blue Steel. In addition, she serves as Vice President of Teachers, Inc., as a member of the BVU History Club and is a BVU Buddies mentor. Hays also gives tours for admissions and says the ability to pursue all of her interests is available only in a select few educational institutions. “We’re a small, beautiful campus with a big-school array of options,” Hays says. “I didn’t think I’d ever be a drum major as a non-music major in my first year of college. That’s the kind of experience only BVU offers.”
