Santa Fe HS Raider Regiment

So grateful for all of our parents and volunteers that help make these memories happen!

There is a moment in every music parent’s life where you realize this thing is not just an activity anymore.

At first, it feels simple.

They wanted to play an instrument. They wanted to be with their friends. They wanted to try something new.

Maybe we encouraged them. Maybe they begged us. Maybe we had no idea what we were signing up for.

And then suddenly, there are rehearsals on the calendar, shoes that need to be found, forms that need to be signed, water jugs by the door, uniforms that somehow require more emotional management than a mortgage closing, and a kid who is either wildly excited or completely silent because they are exhausted beyond words.

And somewhere in the middle of all that chaos, we start to see it.

We see why they love it. It is not just the notes. It is the feeling of standing inside something bigger than themselves. It’s because you are there with them.

It is the first time they realize that their effort matters to someone else. That if they don’t show up, something is missing. That if they push through the hard day, the whole group gets stronger.

It is the sound of a chord locking in after weeks of struggle. It is the bus ride home. It is the inside jokes. It is the older student who quietly helps the nervous freshman. It is the director saying, “Again,” and somehow they find one more rep in them. It is the moment they stop looking around to see if they belong and start realizing they already do. It’s when they look around and they see you.

That is why they love it.

And that is why we keep walking alongside them.

Even when it gets chaotic. Even when we are tired. Even when the schedule feels impossible. Even when the communication is imperfect. Even when the car smells like wet socks, fast food, sunscreen, and regret. Even when we are not entirely sure where we are supposed to be standing, what we are supposed to be carrying, or why there are suddenly 47 things labeled “urgent.”

We keep showing up because we know this is doing something in them.

Something deep.

Music has a way of building kids in places we cannot always reach as parents.

It teaches discipline without a lecture. It teaches resilience without a speech. It teaches them how to be part of a team, how to recover from mistakes, how to listen, how to lead, how to wait, how to work, how to care.

And sometimes, it gives them a place to put all the feelings they do not know how to say out loud.

So yes, we walk beside them.

Not because it is easy or even organized… Not because we always understand the system, the schedule, the tradition, the jargon, or the reason they need black socks again when we just bought black socks last week.

We walk beside them because we can see what this is becoming. We can see the kid who is growing inside the music.

We can see the confidence forming. The friendships deepening. The courage stretching. The identity taking shape.

And one day, long after the last note rings out, they may not remember every score, every placement, every fundraiser, every rehearsal, or every time we sat in the parking lot waiting for them to finally come out.

But they will remember how it felt.

They will remember that they belonged to something.

And hopefully, they will remember that we were there.

Tired, confused, proud, emotional, probably holding a garment bag or a water bottle or a granola bar they swore they didn’t need.

But there.

Walking beside them.

Because we knew.

This was never just about the music.

We are very excited to introduce the new band director for the Santa Fe Raider Regiment, Mr. Jacob Basil!!

Jacob Basil is a recent graduate of the University of Florida, where he earned a Bachelor's of Music in Music Education. He studied saxophone with Dr. Jonathan Helton, where he regularly performed in saxophone chamber ensembles, traveling to Paris, France, and Washington, D.C.

In the summers of 2023 and 2024, he performed on synthesizer with the Blue Stars Drum & Bugle Corps, where he served as a section leader in 2024. In 2023, he travelled to Ireland with the Fightin' Gator Marching Band to perform in the Cork St. Patrick's Day Parade and the Limerick International Band Championship.

He completed student teaching internships at Kanapaha Middle School and Buchholz High School, where he assisted with all ensembles and students.
He is very excited to begin working at Santa Fe and keep the longstanding tradition of excellence in the band program!

Welcome Mr. Basil, we are so excited to have you join the Raider Regiment!!

Mini camp 2026 is in the books!

We had three fun filled days of marching basics, guard and music fundamentals, and learning our stand tunes! But most of all, we began to build friendships that will last forever!

We will see everyone back for band camp starting 7/27 at 8am!

We have one final spotlight to make this year. This spotlight is for our amazing director Jacob Massena.

Mr. Massena has been a member of the Raider Regiment for 4 years. During his time, he has been the leader and driving force behind our program.

Mr. Massena joined us when our member count was at its lowest after the COVID pandemic. During his four years, he has done outreach to all local schools and the community, and this year the Raider Regiment will be the biggest it has been in over 8 years.

During his tenure he has led the band to earn multiple superior ratings in both marching and concert seasons. He has become not only a mentor to his students and a leader for his staff, but also a friend and someone they can count on.

Mr. Massena has grown the program and is leaving it in the best possible position for our new director.

While we are sad to see Mr. Massena move on from the program, we are so grateful for everything he has done for us and we can't wait to see what amazing things he does in his new position.

Mr. Massena is leaving the program in very capable hands and we are excited to welcome our new director and to continue building on the amazing foundation Mr. Massena has built. Stay tuned to meet our new director in the coming weeks!

Thank you Mr. Massena for your years of dedication to the Raider Regiment!!! You will be missed more than you know!!

Congratulations to all of our seniors on their graduations!!!! We are so proud of you and are so grateful we were a part of your high school career!!

No rest for the band, tomorrow starts our mini camp for all new and returning members!!

Mini Camp is Wednesday-Friday from 8am-5pm!

Please bring a lunch, snacks, plenty of water, wear athletic clothing and tennis shoes!

We will meet at the band room/auditorium at 8am tomorrow!

We are so excited to welcome all of our new members!

Congratulations to all of our seniors on their graduations!!!! We are so proud of you and are so grateful we were a part of your high school career!!

No rest for the band, tomorrow starts our mini camp for all new and returning members!!

Mini Camp is Wednesday-Friday from 8am-5pm!

Please bring a lunch, snacks, plenty of water, wear athletic clothing and tennis shoes!

We will meet at the band room/auditorium at 8am tomorrow!
We are so excited to welcome all of our new members!

🎓

Our final Senior Spotlight is Jestina Torres!

Jestina has been a member of the Raider Regiment for 4 years and is a member of our colorguard! She has served on the leadership team for 3 years and was this year’s guard captain!

Her favorite band memory is all the times the guard went to Daytona for Champs and when they earned a bronze medal for their show, Your Icarus! 🏅

Jestina plans to attend Santa Fe College for 2 years and then spend the next two at either UNF or UCF to be an ob/gyn ultrasound tech!

A fun fact about Jestina is she just got a new car! 🚗

Thank you Jestina for your years of dedication to the Raider Regiment!!! You will be missed!!

Next up for our Senior Spotlight is Keyasia Brown!

Keyasia has been a member of the Raider Regiment for three years and is a member of our colorguard! She also served on the leadership team this year as co-captain.

Her favorite band memory is when the winter guard won a bronze medal at champs and Mr. Massena, Mrs Jeni and Kennedy jumped in the pool fully clothed! 💦 🏅

Keyasia plans to attend Santa Fe College for 2 years to become a sterile processing tech!

A fun fact about Keyasia is that she has caught a stir toss with a somersault under it!!!

Thank you Keyasia for your years of dedication to the Raider Regiment!!! You will be missed!!

Next up for our Senior Spotlight is Abbey Vickory!

Abbey has been a member of the Raider Regiment for four years. She plays the flute and was also a member of our winter guard for 3 years!

Her favorite band memory is being on the field and floor for full retreats with the band and guard.

Abbey plans to attend the University of Florida 🐊 for biomedical engineering!

A fun fact about Abbey is that she has 8 cats!

Thank you Abbey for your years of dedication to the Raider Regiment!!! You will be missed!!