An Activist and Athlete
A Central Michigan University senior reflects on five years with the marching band 
Ariah Bremby pushes Gaia onto the field as marching band rehearsals start at Jack Saunders Marching Band Field, on the campus of Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, Thursday, October 26, 2023. Bremby also plays the alto saxophone.
Ariah Bremby pushes Gaia onto the field as marching band rehearsals start at Jack Saunders Marching Band Field, on the campus of Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, Thursday, October 26, 2023. Bremby also plays the alto saxophone.
Gaia leads a group of alto saxophones during sectional practice in front of the Music Building, on the campus of Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, Thursday, October 26, 2023. Gaia serves as rank captain for the alto saxophones.
Gaia leads a group of alto saxophones during sectional practice in front of the Music Building, on the campus of Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, Thursday, October 26, 2023. Gaia serves as rank captain for the alto saxophones.
Gaia’s alto saxophone and wheelchair sit on the grass during rehearsals at Jack Saunders Marching Band Field, on the campus of Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, Thursday, October 26, 2023. When Gaia first joined the Chippewa Marching Band, she played the clarinet. “Alto is so much fun,” she said. “I never regret that decision.”
Gaia’s alto saxophone and wheelchair sit on the grass during rehearsals at Jack Saunders Marching Band Field, on the campus of Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, Thursday, October 26, 2023. When Gaia first joined the Chippewa Marching Band, she played the clarinet. “Alto is so much fun,” she said. “I never regret that decision.”
Gaia smiles in her uniform in the Student Activity Center, on the campus of Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, Tuesday, October 31, 2023. Before the band heads out to the field, they line up by sections in the SAC. Here, Gaia lines up in the front with the drum majors, band director and color guard.
Gaia smiles in her uniform in the Student Activity Center, on the campus of Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, Tuesday, October 31, 2023. Before the band heads out to the field, they line up by sections in the SAC. Here, Gaia lines up in the front with the drum majors, band director and color guard.
Ariah Bremby, far left, braids Gaia’s hair while getting ready for Central Michigan’s football game in the Student Activity Center, on the campus of Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, Tuesday, October 31, 2023. Halftime rehearsal ended earlier than planned, so there was extra time to get ready for the game.
Ariah Bremby, far left, braids Gaia’s hair while getting ready for Central Michigan’s football game in the Student Activity Center, on the campus of Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, Tuesday, October 31, 2023. Halftime rehearsal ended earlier than planned, so there was extra time to get ready for the game.
Gaia laughs during rehearsal at Kramer/Deromedi Field in Kelly/Shorts Stadium, on the campus of Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, Tuesday, October 31, 2023. She’s met many of her friends through CMU’s band. “I love the people I get to see every day,” Gaia said.
Gaia laughs during rehearsal at Kramer/Deromedi Field in Kelly/Shorts Stadium, on the campus of Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, Tuesday, October 31, 2023. She’s met many of her friends through CMU’s band. “I love the people I get to see every day,” Gaia said.
Gaia dances to “Thriller” with the Chippewa Marching band during its halftime show rehearsal at Kramer/Deromedi Field in Kelly/Shorts Stadium, on the campus of Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, Tuesday, October 31, 2023. For this halftime performance, the band planned to dance facing the student section. “Some of my favorite moments ever are when we do things facing the student section,” Gaia said. “It’s such an awesome feeling.”
Gaia dances to “Thriller” with the Chippewa Marching band during its halftime show rehearsal at Kramer/Deromedi Field in Kelly/Shorts Stadium, on the campus of Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, Tuesday, October 31, 2023. For this halftime performance, the band planned to dance facing the student section. “Some of my favorite moments ever are when we do things facing the student section,” Gaia said. “It’s such an awesome feeling.”
Adam Dodge, far right, helps Gaia zip up her uniform as Gaia helps Natalie Morehouse, far left, in the Student Activity Center, on the campus of Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, Tuesday, October 31, 2023. Usually, Gaia’s partner helps with her uniform and pushing her chair, but Dodge agreed to help since her partner couldn’t make it. Dodge is a senior at CMU and met Gaia when he played trumpet for the band.
Adam Dodge, far right, helps Gaia zip up her uniform as Gaia helps Natalie Morehouse, far left, in the Student Activity Center, on the campus of Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, Tuesday, October 31, 2023. Usually, Gaia’s partner helps with her uniform and pushing her chair, but Dodge agreed to help since her partner couldn’t make it. Dodge is a senior at CMU and met Gaia when he played trumpet for the band.
The Chippewa Marching Band’s alto saxophones huddle around Gaia in the Student Activity Center, on the campus of Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, Tuesday, October 31, 2023. The group was getting ready to head out to the field.
The Chippewa Marching Band’s alto saxophones huddle around Gaia in the Student Activity Center, on the campus of Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, Tuesday, October 31, 2023. The group was getting ready to head out to the field.
Jacob Wiedyk, right, pushes Gaia as the Chippewa Marching Band charges on to Kramer/Deromedi Field in Kelly/Shorts Stadium, on the campus of Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, Tuesday, October 31, 2023. Gaia is a huge football fan and loves performing on game days. “[It’s] such a fun experience having someone sprint me down the field,” Herrick said.
Jacob Wiedyk, right, pushes Gaia as the Chippewa Marching Band charges on to Kramer/Deromedi Field in Kelly/Shorts Stadium, on the campus of Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, Tuesday, October 31, 2023. Gaia is a huge football fan and loves performing on game days. “[It’s] such a fun experience having someone sprint me down the field,” Herrick said.
Gaia plays “Unchained Melody” with the Chippewa Marching Band during the halftime show at Kramer/Deromedi Field in Kelly/Shorts Stadium, on the campus of Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, Tuesday, October 31, 2023. The show’s theme was “Fright Night,” and they played “Time Warp,” “Thriller” and “Unchained Melody.”
Gaia plays “Unchained Melody” with the Chippewa Marching Band during the halftime show at Kramer/Deromedi Field in Kelly/Shorts Stadium, on the campus of Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, Tuesday, October 31, 2023. The show’s theme was “Fright Night,” and they played “Time Warp,” “Thriller” and “Unchained Melody.”
Gaia Herrick’s story sparked interest on and off Central Michigan University’s campus when she joined the Chippewa Marching Band in 2018.  
Diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, Herrick’s muscles weaken over time. Since it affects her mobility, she can’t stand while marching. One high school band wouldn’t let her march because of it, she said. 
“It was kind of soul crushing never being a part of that,” Herrick said. “My first year [at CMU] I was kind of starstruck to be a part of the Marching Chips.”  
CMU’s band accommodated Herrick by having a reserve performer push her chair throughout formations. Ever since, Herrick has performed at halftime in her wheelchair.    
Herrick’s story inspired news articles in publications like Central Michigan Life and Halftime Magazine, giving her a greater platform for her activism.   
“We were breaking down a lot of barriers,” Herrick said. “I really strive in adulthood to be the representation I never had. We still have so much more to go.”  
From sharing her story on Duolingo’s podcast to inspiring a Ball State University student to march in their wheelchair, the experiences took her activism to the next level, Herrick said.  
She is not only a campus activist but an athlete. With the vigorous training done in marching band, it’s definitely a sport, Herrick said.  
“I don’t see how it’s not a sport,” Herrick said. “You can’t just walk and play. There’s a lot of training and endurance that goes into this.”   
Practicing outside in varied weather conditions, members play their instruments while keeping their body in a straight alignment and marching in various directions.   
CMU’s band rehearses five days a week, and game days can be nearly ten hours long. Arriving around six hours before kickoff, time is spent stretching, warming up, tuning, rehearsing, and dressing.  
“I would love for anyone who thinks it’s not a sport to come and do it,” Herrick said.  
This is Herrick’s fifth and last year with the Chippewa Marching Band. She plans to graduate in the spring of 2024 with a major in public and nonprofit administration and minors in German, music and disability studies.  
Herrick has multiple career highlights including halftime performances during a Detroit Lions game in 2018 and Central Michigan’s New Mexico Bowl game in 2019.  
“It’s very bittersweet,” Herrick said. “It can definitely be exhausting, but after the marching band season ends and you don’t get to see all these amazing people you see every day, it all settles in.” 
Project Description:
''An Activist and Athlete" was one of my projects for my class JRN 422: The Picture Story. Here, I was tasked to create a sports feature story. Knowing about all the hard work that goes into being in the marching band, I thought they'd be the perfect subject. By following one marching band student through practice and an entire game day, I learned firsthand how much effort is put into their performances.
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