Students stared in disbelief as Principal Jerry Kalina told the members of the Papillion-La Vista High School music department of Michael Pollock's resignation last Wednesday around 2 p.m. in the P-LV auditorium.
"I think it was more shock than anything, it took me by surprise. I never expected it from Pollock, I don't think anyone really did. He was a friend of all of us. I think what everyone is feeling is a shock," said senior Ben Brogna.
On Wednesday morning, Mike Pollock resigned from his position as Papillion-La Vista High School band director after admitting to inappropriate text messages between himself and a 17-year-old May graduate. No criminal charges have been filed, but a police investigation is under way.
Assistant Band Director Tim Keller has temporarily taken over Pollock's duties until a permanent sub for the remainder of the school year can be found.
"The students have great resolve, and just over the course of the past week, the kids have really dug in," Keller said.
Many band members were shaken by the loss of not just a teacher but an important mentor.
"He did some great things with his concerts, and it will be tough to imagine how Keller or the new director is going to make them kind of the same," said senior Lindsey Ussery.
While healing may take some time, the period for dwelling is over, and students are working to pick up the pieces.
"I think it's a good thing that we have section leaders who can be stable and help with what's going on," said senior alto saxophone co-section leader Jacob Popham.
Popham thinks it's important for the band to carry on their routines.
"We're trying to push forward just like we always have," said senior David O'Neil, Popham's co-section leader.
With Keller's added responsibilities, senior and sectional leadership has become more important than ever.
Seniors have taken a key role in helping the freshmen cope and move forward. When the students heard the news, some seniors got out of their seventh-hour classes to comfort the freshmen.
"They made the announcement before seventh hour, and freshmen band plays seventh hour. We went down there and we played anyway," O'Neil said.
Playing music helped senior percussion section leader Logan Myers get over the initial shock of the news.
"We normally come in and play, so why would we not come in and play, you know? You've just got to keep going on; you can't sit there and wallow — you've got to keep going," Myers said.
To Myers, Pollock was more than just a teacher; he was a role model.
Myers had been Pollock's student aide the past semester. He had been observing him and hopes to be a music teacher himself someday.
As for the future of the department, there will be no major curriculum changes. With a master's degree in music and Advanced Placement certification, the music classes left behind will remain intact.
The band members will continue to practice for this semester's performances. Their next performance will be during fine arts day in March.
When it comes down to it, O'Neil said, students should focus on what band is about.
"For us, being in band is not a matter of having a really cool teacher; it's a matter of playing music," he said.
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