CMS Performing Arts Teen of the Week — Varenna McCluskey

CENTREVILLE — Varenna McCluskey is an 8th grade band student at Centreville Middle School and has been selected as this week’s Performing Arts Teen of the Week by her band director, Heather Fullerton. Varenna is a percussionist in the CMS Band and is also a member of the Symphonic, Jazz & Marching Bands.In her three years with the CMS Band, Varenna has proven to be not only intelligent and hardworking, but also resilient and kind.According to Fullerton, Varenna never backs down from a challenge, including auditioning for the Junior All-State Band this past fall and the 2021 Junior All Shore Band in January. So, while the pandemic and subsequent school closures have been challenges, Varenna has never used school closings as an excuse to stop improving and growing as a musician.As if dealing with a pandemic wasn’t enough of an obstacle to her musical goals, Varenna has also courageously fought on through adversity impacting her life medically.Through every obstacle, Varenna has continued to show up. She shows a maturity and sense of responsibility far beyond her years. Fullerton chuckles when she refers to Varenna as a “percussion ninja” because her persona is quiet and calm.She shows up to lessons, to…
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