By Shaelyn Davis
Behind a backyard shed, the sound of drums, guitar riffs and laughter drifts through the air. Inside, three friends crowd around their instruments, root beers nearby, working through chords and song ideas.
What started as a simple conversation about band names in an Earth and Space Science class has grown into “Triple Junction,” a small high school band built on creativity, friendship and a shared love of rock music.
Delta students show creativity through such diverse activities as music, acrylic nails and crafts.
Triple Junction began when the boys started joking around and coming up with possible band names, but it quickly turned into something more serious.
Senior Bryce Mays, the band’s singer and keyboardist, first suggested that they actually form a band. Soon after, senior Alex Miranda joined on guitar and senior Zeppelin O’Neill took the role of drummer.
“I love that we get to be the group that pulls out our creativity through music and that it’s brought us a lot closer as individuals,” Zeppelin says
Since then, the group has been practicing together in a shed in Alex’s backyard, where they spend their time playing classic rock and pop rock, experimenting with songs, and enjoying time together as friends.
In contrast, senior Marley Dowling has been working on her career on doing nails by starting small with clients from her mom’s at-home salon. Marley has worked on friends and family.
Knowing what comes into the business world she doesn’t think she could do it by herself.
With her mom’s help so far she’s gained clients, friends and even an atmosphere she enjoys to be around. Her mom has helped her with finances and given her own input on the business world.
“My mom has always been by my side encouraging me to not let doors close and just keep pushing to be better for myself and for everyone around me,” Dowling says.
Working in a home salon has given Dowling more than just an experience with nails. It has also helped her learn how to interact with clients, manage appointments and understand what it takes to run a successful business.
Starting in a familiar environment has allowed her to grow in her confidence while continuing to work on her skills.
Dowling still goes to school for nails and for knowledge, but it hasn’t stopped her from truly doing something she values.
“Yes, school work gets hard but I like to think I have a good balance between my school work and being at the salon,” she says.
Dowling goes to Amber’s Beauty School for her school nails and is constantly trying to improve on new designs.
Somewhat similar in expressing her way of creativity is sophomore Memphis Reed. She shows her creativity every day through her lenses.
Reed bedazzles everyday items like her glasses, phone case and even her Beats headphones. Reed’s favorite piece she’s done is her glasses.
She carefully covered them in rhinestone. When showing her mom for the first time her mom was impressed and told Memphis, “They are very on brand for you”.
The encouragement her mom gave her helped her gain confidence in continuing her hobby.
Although Reed doesn’t want to turn this into a career she does plan to continue the route of bedazzling.
Most of the work in this hobby started at a bedroom vanity where a flat surface makes it easier to carefully place these sparkly gems.
While the process can be calming it also gets stressful when she doesn’t have enough rhinestones and even sometimes dropping the piece she is working on.
When getting stressed Memphis stops until the next day or until she gets the right amount of rhinestones.
“Honestly it’s just about taking your time and not rushing yourself,” Reed says. “Always trust what you’re doing and continue to push forward.”
