Whiz Kid: Minooka Girl Passionate About Playing the Clarinet; Loves All Varieties of Music

Sara Vogelsanger, 14, Freshman at Minooka Community High School

As one of three freshmen in a 65-member band, Sara Vogelsanger was both shocked and excited when she was selected to play first chair clarinet in the Southern Prairie Conference Honor Band in February.

Playing since the 5th grade, her love for the clarinet has grown and has helped her have a successful year in the MCHS Marching Band. She finds it a challenge because she has to memorize music and know where to be on the field at the same time. Sara, along with her fellow band members and “awesome” band directors, competed at the Northern Illinois Marching Band Day in the fall and received third place in the competition. 

Even though where the band will be going on its trip next year hasn’t been released, Vogelsanger is patiently waiting to find out. Until then, she would settle on going to the Jersey Shore and walk the boardwalk, shop in the unique stores and go on the rides at the amusement parks.

Vogelsanger also finds music in her spare time. She listens to all varieties of music downloaded onto her iPod and computer, but favors heavy metal “screamo” music. She admires singer Miley Cyrus and loves the band “A Day to Remember.”

Every once in a while she gets the urge to clean the house. Just because. Bet that makes her mother happy.

A journalism class strictly for creating the school yearbook allows Vogelsanger the opportunity to lay out pages and place photos. Business Economy class allows her to study franchises and entrepreneurships. And she has a passion for Chicago history.

Vogelsanger plans to apply to Arizona State or University of Illinois and sees herself having a career as a prosecuting attorney.

But for right now, she will settle on grabbing a Rosati’s sausage pizza with her friends, keeping up her honor roll status and enjoying the excitement of her sister’s upcoming wedding, in which she will be a bridesmaid.

Her favorite color is lime green. Will she be able to persuade her sister to see the same for bridesmaid dresses?