Age: 15  •  Sophomore at Tavares High School

I love music and began playing in the Tavares Middle School band in sixth grade. I started out playing the oboe but switched to the clarinet. I love the clarinet because it is a beautiful-sounding musical instrument. I was also part of the school’s jazz band in seventh and eighth grade and played the baritone and saxophone.

Next year, I will serve as lieutenant of the Tavares High School band’s clarinet section.

I’ve had great band directors in middle school and high school, including Tina Laferriere, Victoria Warnet and Andy Dubbert. The directors work closely together so band students have an easy transition from middle school to high school.

Another passion of mine in music is playing the piano. I began playing at age 4 and started taking lessons as a sixth-grader. I play everything from rock and gospel to jazz and classical music. My latest instrument is the bass guitar, which I began playing in October 2013.

Being in the marching band is lots of fun because you can play loud without getting in trouble. I also like being on the field and marching in specific positions. When the band plays the song “Hey Baby,” the fans begin dancing in the stands.

Two of my musical inspirations are Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson. I like Stevie Wonder because he is an excellent piano player, while Michael Jackson was great because of the power and emotion behind his music.

I enjoy taking challenging classes because they make me work harder and pay more attention to my teachers. As a ninth-grader, I took an advanced placement course in human geography, as well as honors classes in English 1 and earth space science. In my sophomore year, I will be taking an advanced placement course in world history and honors classes in English 2 and biology.

My favorite movies are anything to do with superheroes. I’m also a big fan of the “Star Wars” and “Back to the Future” series.

I also enjoy watching “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” on Nickelodeon.

My advice for younger students is to strive for perfection and never give up. You may stumble or fail along the way, but failure is part of life. Never lose sight of the big picture.

My role models in life are my parents. They have high expectations and because of them, I try my best in everything I do.

 Vital stats

To the point: Marques maintains a 4.28 weighted grade-point average.

“Class” act: Marques tackles both advanced placement and honors classes.

PHOTO: MATTHEW GAULIN