As a middle school student and cast member, Lucas Ebert watched the annual Blast performance five times. Now, he plays an essential role in the show. Music is a big part of WCHS sophomore Lucas Ebert’s life. From performing in the yearly Blast spectacle to singing in choirs ranging from county to state-level, Ebert has made his voice heard.
“My passion for singing first came from my middle school choir teacher, Mrs. Nam,” Ebert said. “She was so encouraging, and her teaching style meant that anybody could sing, even if they had never had any prior experience. Later in middle school, I joined the Montgomery County Youth Choir and the Maryland All State Choir, and those choirs were so big, and I made so many new friends that I knew that I would want to continue participating in singing in the future.”
Ebert carries that strong passion into WCHS’s annual Blast performance and served as a Blast Leader for Blast 36: C’est La Vie, where he stepped up in his role as the Assistant Company Manager. Beyond the position, Blast, as well as choir, have both been places where he has built some of his closest friendships.
“The extracurricular choirs that I am a part of and my participation have completely changed my life,” Ebert said. “I would never have made some of my best friends if it weren’t for my original decision to try choir in middle school. Through choir, I also have learned how to work with other people, and Blast has lots of student leadership opportunities that I have participated in.”
One Blast member who has worked alongside him for years is WCHS sophomore Cyrus Alavi, who has been friends with Ebert since middle school. Alavi has firsthand experience of Ebert’s leadership and focus. Through years of rehearsals and performances, Alavi and Ebert have strengthened a bond that goes beyond a simple Blast performance.
“I’ve been close friends with Lucas since middle school,” Alavi said. “We already had that established connection, and we were able to increase it through Blast and put on a great show. Meeting new people as well, and increasing that connection among other people, that was great, but I felt like the chemistry between Lucas and me that we already had, it was really shown in Blast, and I was really happy about that. He’s just always super enthusiastic, and all the [Blast] cast love him. He’s always on top of his things and doing the right thing.”
Over the years, Ebert has worked his way up to more major roles in Blast. The leadership he has shown paired with his experience in choir has made him a prominent figure. Even before he got to the level he is at now, Blast has left a lasting impact on him.
“I first participated in Blast when I was in middle school,” Ebert said. “It was my first time experiencing the Blast community, and I got to watch the performance five times because I didn’t have a very big role that year. The performance was so good, and seeing it five times over made me excited to do it again!”
Eyes set on reaching new levels for Blast, Ebert is ready to step up even higher. Outside of Blast, Ebert hopes to continue his choir pursuits and reach his goals within the choir. After years of hard work and focus, Ebert continues to look forward to what is to come.
“In the near future, I am looking forward to hopefully becoming the Company Manager of Blast,” Ebert said. “If my application gets accepted it would allow me to get involved to a new level in Blast. In the long-term future, I hope that I will someday be a part of some choir in college, maybe even a barbershop quartet!”
