4400 Mass Ave

Unpacked: I'm with the band

Alyssa Miguel, SOC/BA '19, journalism major and Screamin' Eagles Pep Band member

Alyssa Miguel and the contents of her bag
flute on top of sheet music

I've played the flute since the fifth grade. I love that feeling when I get the notes just right—it gives me goosebumps. 

water bottle and granola bar

I cheer and yell a lot during the games, so I've always got a reusable water bottle handy. I keep a snack in my bag, too, for those times when I'm too busy to eat.

football jersey with "Miguel" on the back

Most pep bands wear polos or rugby shirts; we wear football-style jerseys with our last name and grad year on the back and a funky eagle on the front. There are 30 to 40 of us. Most of us played in our high school marching band or pep band.

colored pens

I color code my notes to help me focus—plus it makes class a little more fun.  

 
music binder

I've been a member of the AU pep band for three years. We have eight staples that we play every game; my favorites include Wilson Pickett's "Land of 1,000 Dances" and "Bang Bang" by Ariana Grande, Jessie J, and Nicki Minaj.

day planner

I have a really pretty planner with all my assignments and upcoming deadlines. I'm on my phone so much, it's nice to take a little break from it once in a while. 

notebook with class notes

I'm a journalism major with minors in international studies and Spanish. This semester I'm also taking French. Binders help me stay organized. 

 
iPhone with music app open and pink headphones connected

I live off campus so I do lots of walking. I'm always listening to music; right now I'm loving Demi Lovato's "Sorry Not Sorry." I'll hear something I like from the "hype music" they play before volleyball games and I'll run home and add it to my Apple Music. 

 

red and blue pom poms

We play all the volleyball and basketball games in Bender Arena. We put pom-poms on our music stands to make them look more festive. 

clappers

We use the clappers for "Crazy Train" by Ozzy Osbourne—another one of my favorite tunes. 

 
iPhone charger

I'm always on the go and an iPhone battery only lasts so long.

 
Apple laptop

If I'm not in class, I'm on my laptop. I like working in McKinley or the Mud Box in the library.