Imagine an average school day. Students walk out of class and into the lunchroom. The commons area is crowded due to the five-minute overlap in passing time and lunch. While walking to exit the crowded halls and feeling the urge to go out the doors, there’s music.
The sound is different from what’s usually heard coming out of a hallway speaker. Obviously, from the sounds heard, it’s a guitar producing the tune. The guitar’s chords are barely noticeable, as all the side conversations had overpowered them, but now curiosity strikes. Looking around to spot the origin of the music, it’s coming from a couple of students sitting down and practicing their musical skills.
The school’s atmosphere has always been very busy, social, and noisy during lunchtime. As students shuffle by loudly enjoying their passing time, it’s hard to pierce the chaotic ambiance. While rushing out of class and into the commons area, there’s lots of diversity in Granger’s students on display, and many practice their talents and skills out in the open.
It turns out that a few guitarists spend their 30-minute lunch being productive while at school. It really seems like these students have a great passion for what they do. This creative expression inspires curiosity, and many wonder what motivated them to be so productive during their free time instead of following the crowd to Carl’s Jr. or doing different activities, such as going out to eat or simply sitting around to rest or text.
Granger High School has over 3,000 students, so it is no surprise to find so much talent out in the open. Yet it’s surprising to see undiscovered talent on display, although they are in plain sight and show up in everyday schedules and routines.
These specific lunch musicians are not the only example found at Granger High. On February 12, Esteban Naranjo (9) posted a video on the social media platform TikTok. In the video, he performs a serenade in Granger’s courtyard. He was both playing his main instrument, the guitar, and singing the song Hasta la muerte by Eslabon Armado and Ivan Cornejo. The video received close to 10,000 views and nearly 800 likes. In his post, we could clearly see the great talent he holds, and it’s a great example of underrated Lancer talent.
There are many reasons behind these musical expressions. While looking at Naranjo’s story, many answers are revealed. They’re the reasons and motives behind his skillful performances with his friends. “I just enjoy it, and it’s a good way to practice and get out of my comfort zone,” Naranjo said. His passion is great enough to be able to broaden his horizons even if he might be judged for it.
As with any performance, reviews and feedback are part of the game. “I’ll get song requests, people will just stand and look at us, and like sometimes they criticize me, but I don’t try to think about that,” he said. His dedication to his hobby is strong enough to fight off any disapproval and criticism. Yet, Naranjo may also be reassured by those who admire his talent, “we get a little audience occasionally but like, mostly it’s positive feedback,” he said.
Many more talented students are either overlooked or unnoticed because everyone else is swamped with their own hobbies, pursuits, and responsibilities. These cases expand beyond student musicians. The same pattern continues and is repeated with many other talents. Such examples of these overlooked talents include all types of sports, skating, and even leisure dancing. All these special traits and skills within students are what helps make Granger High an even more unique, interesting, and special place.
