The majority of seniors would say that their favorite memories of senior year include what anyone would expect—prom, friends, planning for the future, winning a sports game, or even graduation. However, the favorite memory of William Brodersen, senior, of his last year of high school is not even close to one of these.

Because of Brodersen’s membership in the school orchestra, he was given the chance to go to Rome during winter break. As one would guess, this trip was Brodersen’s favorite memory of his senior year here at LZHS.

“Going to Rome with the orchestra was really, really cool, and just really memorable,” Brodersen said. “I’ve been playing the violin since second grade, and it’s something I’m really proud of, and I think it’s a good skill to have to be able to play an instrument, and something I want to carry on in the future into college.”

At Lake Zurich, Brodersen was in the symphony orchestra—the highest orchestra LZHS offers, and also was principal second violin (leader of the second violin section) in Sinfonietta—the highest extracurricular orchestra. Participating in orchestra was one of Brodersen’s main takeaways and accomplishments from his time in high school.

“Orchestra has improved my high school experience by introducing me to new people, getting me involved, and being part of something that’s outside the classroom….” Brodersen said. “It’s something that I’m proud of, and will be able to look back on and be proud of.”

Nathan Sackschewsky, orchestra director, has known and taught Brodersen since his freshman year. He was very proud of Brodersen this year, with his recent accomplishment of being a principal in Sinfonietta, and with just continuing to be a talented and reliable student throughout his time in high school orchestra.

“[Broderson] is a fantastic student,” Sackschewsky explained. “I love the attitude that he brings to class, he’s always joyful and supportive of his friends, but also a really, really hard worker…. He knows when it’s time to work and when it’s time to focus and he always approaches things from a standpoint of maturity, and I’m always really impressed by that.”

Brodersen is committed to Miami University in Ohio, and will be studying business. In college, he hopes to finalize his career choice and path, and he also hopes to study abroad in the future.

Additionally, Brodersen said that he hopes his orchestra skills will give him connections at college, along with enabling him to join orchestra-related clubs, and also just give him something to do.

He looks back on his orchestra experience gratefully, remembering all it has taught him.

“I think I’ve gotten a lot better at meeting people and trying to make connections [because of orchestra],” Brodersen said. “It gave me a good work ethic, and taught me how to stay on top of my schedule.”

Sackschewsky is sad to see Brodersen go, but knows that he will prosper in college. He hopes that Brodersen will take the skills he learned in orchestra with him to the future, and he wishes him the best for his next steps in life.

“I really hope that [Brodersen] continues to feel enabled to make community and to be someone who can be inclusive and supportive of those around him,” Sackschewsky said. “I really hope he will continue to be someone who can gather a group of people and know that he has influence over them, and continue to be positive and create that good community that he does. I think people know [Brodersen], because he’s a really good dude and I think that’s awesome.”