Uniform on, saxophone in hand, Shane Yankovitz got ready to perform as he stepped off the sideline and onto his musical field, ready to make music. During his last year in the band, Yankovitz has committed himself to the Marching band as well as many other spirited activities, each of which allow Yankovitz to embrace a different part of himself and make his time at Revere worthwhile.
Shane Yankovitz, a senior at Revere High School, is involved in several activities, including Revere National Honor Society (NHS), Revere Players, Mock Trial, Mu Alpha Theta, Save Promise, Senior Class Council and Student Ambassadors.
Yankovitz stays busy with extracurriculars and homework, but he enjoys it.
“In [the] NHS I’m the President, so I help plan inductions and the dance. For the band, I am Vice President, so I just help organize [social activities]. For Mu Alpha Theta, I’m Vice President, so that’s a lot of organizing meetings, so [math] contests and stuff like that.” Yankovitz said.
These extracurricular activities allow Yankovitz to enhance his academic classes. National Honor Society is for students who have exceeded the levels in their classes. Mu Alpha Theta is a group for skilled mathematicians to help their fellow students by tutoring and teaching them math. Yankovitz also participates in creative activities and volunteer related activities.
“For Class Council, I’m Vice President, so I’m a part of planning Graduation, . . . Prom and Senior Sunrise, [which was] just a few weeks ago. For Save Promise, I’m Co-President, so I help plan all [the] meetings and [events] that we are [doing]. In Revere Players, I am [a] Stage Manager, so backstage I’m going to be the one who’s moving all the [set pieces] and just telling people what to do,” Yankovitz said.
When asked if Yankovitz had a job, he joked that he did currently not have time.
“Maybe in the spring,” Yankovitz said.
These extracurriculars may take up a lot of time, but Yankovitz’s morale never hinders.
While Yankovitz puts effort into every activity he participates in, Marching Band is one where he has influence as a section leader for his musical section. The director of the Revere Marching Band, Tom Chiera, spoke about Yankovitz’s leadership roles in the band.
“He has a leadership responsibility inside his section, that kind of sets a musical example and helps his classmates along the way. He is absolutely one of the strongest musical pieces that are [in the] ensemble right now; he handles his instrument and plays his parts really well,” Chiera said.
Yankovitz plays the alto saxophone. Chiera went into Yankovitz’s individual achievement level.
“[He is able] to do what the music is asking of him and coordinate things between the multiple responsibilities. He moves and plays well,” Chiera said.
Yankovitz also has roles in other art programs at Revere High School, such as the Revere Players, which is the drama program for the school. Sarah Pine, the director of the Revere Players, spoke about her first impression of Yankovitz, a few years ago.
“He just [seems] like one of those kids who [is] really happy to be there and really ready to dive in and do whatever was going to be needed.Like an all hands on deck kind of mentality and, from what I can recall, just always being very pleasant to be around,” Pine said.
Pine also mentioned the long hours and tedious work that the tech members add to the show. These hours change based on proximity to the show, so those involved have to be flexible. Without the tech and crew members, the shows wouldn’t run smoothly. Yankovitz’s position as stage manager allows him to have control of the show, but there is a high commitment level required.
“Once we get into rehearsals, tech involvement gets a little more intense because you’re staying after for rehearsals which tend to go a little longer. . . once we get closer to performance time we’re going 5 days a week. . . it’s a pretty serious commitment [especially show weekends],” Pine said.
Yankovitz is involved in many of Revere’s offered programs. Within these programs, he has leadership roles that have allowed him to excel. Yankovitz took control of his senior year with activities such as Senior Council and Student Ambassadors. He academically improves himself with clubs such as Mu Alpha Theta and the National Honors Society. He maintains a balance by embracing his creative side with the Marching Band and Revere players. Yankovitz continues to embrace new opportunities at Revere to better himself and his community.
