Student’s Voices Heard, Drumline Captain Lila White Leads the Campaign

In August during band camp, for the first time in 9 years, Mr. Meucci (Percussion Ensemble’s Teacher) was not in attendance. At the time students were informed that the music department was working to get Mr. Meucci back to Woodinville. Having a teacher dedicated to Percussion Ensemble is critical for the students in the class, the whole music department, and school/ community engagement. As said by Mr. Meucci, “To the school we provide entertainment at school events like sporting events, football games, basketball games, spirit assemblies, and state competitions. [We] perform at a number of community events like turkey trot and schools in rhythm concert.”

Without Mr. Meucci, the responsibilities of teaching Percussion Ensemble were given to Mr. Tanksley and Senior Drumline Captain Lila White. 

As soon as Mr. Meucci was no longer teaching Percussion Ensemble, it became clear that a lot of the teaching, planning, and directing of the class was given to Lila White. Lila described this change as, “with the absence of Mr. Meucci, my role and responsibilities became similar to that of a teacher’s.” The amount of time needed to plan how to teach a class is not just something that students don’t have time to do, but it is also not what Lila signed up for. When Lila was placed in the role of Drumline Captain for the 2025-2026 school year, students were not yet aware of how different the role would be. 

Why does this matter? Lila White expands on how she was personally affected by her increased responsibility: “Altogether it was incredibly unfair that the responsibilities of a teacher were placed on me, a student, and it was very difficult and stressful for me.”

As a Drumline Captain, Lila brought up that she was writing a description for a petition advocating for Mr. Meucci’s return, and got permission from everyone to begin the process of change. Drumline members worked to share the petition to family members, friends, and WHS music department students. The petition received over 200 signatures in the first few weeks. Thanks to the work of anyone in Drumline, and particularly Lila White’s dedication to leading and advocating for the Drumline, a teacher dedicated to percussion was transferred into WHS again.

On September 25th, Mr. Meucci showed up to 7th period Percussion Ensemble. It was here that we were informed, he was brought back as a Woodinville High School staff member. This 2025-2026 school year will be his 9th year at WHS.