As drum major for the last two years for the band, it puts her front and center to showcase a skill for music that she’s nurtured for years, one of several musical honors she’s achieved at MHS that she doesn’t take for granted.

“Being a drum major is an honor of its own, and I’m proud to have been chosen to represent MHS,” Smigowska said.

Those who attended Marshalltown football games this fall couldn’t have missed Smigowska, donning a costume that included a wig of long, bright red hair to honor Sally, one of the characters of the 1993 Tim Burton classic “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” which was the MHS band’s marching theme this year.

“The best part of being a drum major for me is that it’s forced me out of my shell,” Smigowska said. “Historically, I’ve been an incredibly awkward embarrassment of a child, but being put on a pedestal in front of around 100 people really forced me to get some confidence. I can confidently say that being a drum major changed my life for the better.”

Smigowska has also received Division 1 ratings for both solo and ensemble performances in her high school band career. Her main instrument is the alto saxophone, while also dabbling in the soprano and tenor saxes and some piano and guitar playing.

But her musical journey started as it does for many young ones, with a plastic recorder.

“I quickly got the hang of it and really enjoyed playing it at all hours of the day, much to the dismay of my parents,” Smigowska said, adding that she felt rewarded to learn how to play songs like “Despacito” on the instrument.

That got her into the sax and later the high school band activities like pep band and marching band. She also participates in Envirothon, Quiz Bowl, National Honor Society and the Pit Orchestra at MHS.

“If you have the time, band activities are a great way to make new friends and create a tight-knit community,” Smigowska said on her advice for younger students. “Do as much as you can! … School is your time to try new things.”

Smigowska is looking forward to learning and mastering harder and harder musical pieces in band for the rest of the school year. When it comes to her future plans, she’s interested in pursuing an education-based degree in a technical subject like math, while also finding ways to stay involved in music at the college level.

“I enjoy talking to kids younger than me, and I imagine that will stay the same even as I grow older,” Smigowska said of her planned area of study. “I want to help make the next generation smarter, and the world will always need teachers.”

Name: Anna Smigowska

Something you can’t go a day without: “Coffee; I recently started drinking it as a means to an end but now I can hardly function early in the morning without it.”

Dream vacation destination: “Europe in general. I’ve always wanted to go to all the major cities to see their famous landmarks.”

What are you listening to right now?: “Sherlock & Co” podcast

It would surprise people that I…: Speak another language (Polish)

Hobbies: Baking, Cooking, Crochet, Drawing

Favorite class: Other than band or jazz band, Abnormal Psychology

Favorite movie: “Home Alone”

Favorite book: “My favorite book is always the one I’m currently reading. And, I’m currently reading through the Scythe series by Neal Shusterman.”

Favorite app: Ibis Paint, Procreate for painting, Pinterest for leisurely scrolling