Arsenal Tech’s band program helps students form close friendships — and go to college

“Sign up for Chalkbeat Indiana’s free daily newsletter to keep up with Indianapolis Public Schools, Marion County’s township districts, and statewide education news. Joshua Camero stumbled upon the trumpet in fifth grade. He had to choose an elective class, and although he was unsure about performing in front of people, his mother encouraged him to sign up for band. “I started playing it, and I just really liked it,” he said. “I was quick to pick it up.” By his junior year of high school, he would be among the few students at his school to qualify for the Indiana State School Music Association’s state competition. By his senior year, he would earn two gold ratings in the contest for solo trumpet performance. Camero plans to earn a degree in music industry at the University of Indianapolis with financial aid he earned in part through his trumpet skills. He hopes to focus on artist management, while also “keeping the music very close.” This week, Camero is among roughly 1,200 Indianapolis Public Schools students graduating from the four district-run high schools as families across Marion County celebrate the Class of 2026 in May and June. The seniors are part of a graduating cohort of students that has grown statewide over the last three years: Last year, the state’s graduation rate was roughly 92%. Camero is part of a tight-knit group of students in Arsenal Tech’s band and orchestra community. He’s one of five students in advanced band who will go to college in the fall with tuition fully or nearly fully covered through financial aid. “I feel like no matter how big the school is, it’s really all about your happiness,” said senior Cassietta Lewis, who plays the clarinet and tenor saxophone at Arsenal. “I gained my friends here, and I still have them, and hopefully I still have them forever.” School’s music programs became a pathway to college Arsenal’s band program has recently become more of a pathway to graduation and college, as band director Josh Goodman has encouraged students to use their talents — musical and otherwise — to secure scholarships. It began, Goodman said, with student Mercy Makanjuola, who joined the University of Notre Dame’s band in 2023 after learning to read music and play the saxophone at Arsenal . “That was kind of the impetus for how everything happened — we just had to get one kid into a really great program, fully covered,” he said. “And then ... all the other kids were like, ‘Yeah, let’s do this.’” Not all of Goodman’s college-going students attend specifically to study music. But the success of students like Mercy have served as inspiration for the students who follow, Goodman said. Last year, four band students attended Indiana University through the Groups Scholars program that offers aid for first-generation college students or those with financial need, Goodman said. One even gained entry to IU Bloomington’s Jacobs School of Music after starting the trombone in band as a freshman in high school. Arsenal Technical High School band members practice on Monday, April 27, 2026 in Indianapolis. This year, the Arsenal seniors are part of a band that is the first in the district’s history to win the All-Music Award from the Indiana State School Music Association. The recognition is for schools who earn a gold rating in marching band, solo performances, ensemble performances, jazz, and concert band. Lewis plans to study psychology at IU Bloomington, where she will be with her other bandmates, Tennia Gleplay and Nick Saunders. Gleplay, a first-generation American whose parents are from Liberia, will study forensic science. But she still hopes to stay involved with music. “I really do love it, and it takes up so much of my time,” she said. “I’m in so many bands here, I don’t know what I would do with myself if I didn’t play music.” Saunders, meanwhile, has his sights set on studying Japanese and playing in a jazz group for non-music major students. Camero, the trumpet player headed to the University of Indianapolis, now loves performing. “You get so nervous and jittery,” he said. “But it’s what keeps you alive.” He credits his elementary school teacher, Michele Pickard at Edison School of the Arts, with helping him start on his musical path. He’s looking forward to playing in concerts as part of the university’s pep band. Nick Saunders, a senior at Arsenal Technical High School, plays the saxophone during a band rehearsal. Roseneika Saint Jules, who plays the saxophone and percussion, will study nursing on a full scholarship at IU Indianapolis. She arrived in the United States from Haiti as a freshman, and has had a lifelong dream of becoming a nurse. She has seen her grandmother struggle with knee issues. “In Haiti, it’s difficult to go to the doctor,” she said. “I want to be the person to help out my grandma. I want to be the person to help others who are in need.” To younger high school students, Saint Jules suggests finding the right support group when times get tough. “Life is like a ball of problems,” she said. “Just find somewhere you belong. Just like we’re in band — that’s where we belong. We have a family. Just find a family like that.” Amelia Pak-Harvey covers Indianapolis and Lawrence Township schools for Chalkbeat Indiana. Contact Amelia at apak-harvey@chalkbeat.org .

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