05/07/2025
On this Wednesday night of May 7th, we celebrate the year’s work while remembering the fallen. It is with a heavy heart and a pile of blunt pencils that we announce the passing of our Panda, our loyal pencil sharpener, who whirred his final whirr on Monday morning after valiantly choking on a particularly stubborn No. 2. Born in a far away factory and purchased on Amazon, Panda was adopted by the CMS Band shortly after a routine back-to-school shopping spree in July of 2021. From his earliest days, he showed promise—never jamming, never eating too much pencil, and always delivering a satisfyingly perfect point. Panda was more than just a tool. He was a companion. A confidant. A spinning, grinding therapist for anxious measure numberers and dynamic markings. He gave his edge selflessly, never once asking for a break—except when his receptacle was full, and even then, politely. In his prime, Panda sharpened hundreds—nay, thousands—of pencils with the precision of a sushi chef and the determination of a caffeinated woodpecker. He even survived 4 years of endless work, countless concerts, and that one time he was mistaken for a coffee grinder. A small ceremony will be held soon to honor his memory . In lieu of flowers, the Band asks that you simply use a pencil in his honor—and maybe clean out your sharpener every once in a while. Rest in pieces, dear Panda. You gave life a point. Join us in remembrance tonight at McKinney North HS.
