From long band rehearsals and leading the band to singing for choir, senior Lillith Colunga takes her determination to the stage. Now she takes her motivational mindset and pride to the Miss Cardinal competition. We sat down with Lillith to see what paths she took to get here.

Sarem Rodriguez: What got you into playing instruments?

Lillith Colunga: I remember, it was 4th grade. I kinda got thrown into choir in elementary school and I kinda wanted to stand on that so they made me choose between choir and orchestra. I chose to do orchestra and it kind of helped me stay in music throughout my school years, and I’m glad I did that because it helped me find something I’m very passionate and love.

SR: How many instruments do you play?

LC: For sure I can play cello, trumpet, and my voice is an instrument too and I sing. I’m learning a little bit of piano and guitar.

SR: What emotions do you feel when playing these instruments?

LC: I feel happiness and I feel a whole bunch of love for being able to do what I do. I love being able to play music because it makes me feel a lot happier. Even now I’m not playing as much, I still have fun helping others in the band too. 

SR: What is your favorite song to sing?

LC: My favorite song to sing is Picture you by Chapell Roan.

SR: Why do you like singing that song?

LC: That song just means a lot to me. It means a lot emotionally because it’s very lyrical, and relatable. I really do like the music and more advanced stuff in the song and it’s fun to mess around and get myself out of my comfort zone. 

SR: What about helping build the orchestra program is so special to you?

LC: Being able to help the orchestra means a lot to me because I remember my freshman year we only had 3 people in orchestra and I was kind of like we need an orchestra program at this school. Every other high school has orchestra but ours, and to me it was very important that we build it because that’s the way our school connects band and we can eventually have a classroom for orchestra and those kids who are in orchestra.

SR: Who was always there for you when you’ve done everything you’ve accomplished?

LC: My best friends have been there with me for every accomplishment that I’ve been through these past couple years. It’s awesome having cheerleaders.

SR: Describe to me how you feel whimsy.

LC: I think I’m a very fun and creative person and I guess that kind of helps with the whimsy. I think I’m a very silly person, I love joking around in that kind of sense. I’m artsy too, so I feel like that kind of helps out with that.

SR: Tell me about your creativity. What do you do that’s creative?

LC: I love transposing music, listening to songs and then breaking them down and arranging it into parts for other instruments as well. I’m a very artsy person so I like painting and doing arts.

SR: What or who got you into painting?

LC: My mom did, just to pass down some free time we would buy stuff and paint and I just enjoyed it whenever we would paint at home.

SR: What do you like about fostering kittens?

LC: I like being able to give animals a second chance because most of the animals that are in animal shelters get euthanized if they don’t get picked up by a certain time so me and my mom we pick some cats up and foster them.

SR: Do you plan on trying out for anything out for anything else here at SBHS if so what?

LC: I mean for this year, I don’t  want to have senioritis, people are joining, it’s not like senioritis, more like FOMO. I don’t think I’d do anything new. I like doing what I’m doing now, the only new thing is Link Crew but I feel like Link Crew is kind of the same thing as any other leadership position on campus.