Former girlfriend carries on Atherton’s work with Chi-Hi band
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By CANDICE NOVITZKE life@chippewa.com
Friday, October 13, 2006 11:09 PM CDT
Branden Atherton’s former girlfriend, Andrea Johnsen, has been able to add some happiness to her life during the past year.
Or rather, it’s Branden who showed her the way.
Johnsen started working with the Chi-Hi Marching Cardinals this semester. She and Branden were students at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and Branden was working with the Chi-Hi band last October, when he was killed in the school bus crash.
“I always told Branden that I’d love to be on staff there, and I wished I could do something in marching band again, but I always had a lot of other commitments,” she said.
“After everything happened, I felt like I really wanted to be a part of it. I felt like maybe I needed to finish carrying out the work he started.”
In January, she made an effort to get involved in teaching high school students, by helping to plan the upcoming band season.
“I love marching band,” she said. “Working with the Chi-Hi band has given me the opportunity to share that.”
The past year has brought many things, but one thing will always be missing.
“It’s definitely been a difficult year, coming to terms with everything that happened,” Johnsen said. “I miss Branden every day.”
But, the students have helped her through some of the tough times.
“They have definitely been an inspiration to me,” she said. “I’ve learned a lot from them. It’s definitely given me a different outlook on life.
“I do things every day, thinking, ‘What can I do to make Branden proud of me?’”
It’s been healing to be near the band members.
“If for nothing else to be closer to people who are involved with the accident,” she said.
On Friday she was at the school, working with the Marching Cardinals as they rehearsed “Triumph of the Spirit” for Saturday night.
Everyone’s mood was bright.
“We’re trying not to let the focus be on Monday, but rather use the energy to succeed on Saturday and do our best,” she said.
Like in the Chippewa Valley, there’s been an outpouring of support in Branden’s hometown of Waukesha.
At Branden’s alma mater, Waukesha West High School, a recent band show was dedicated to him. There have also been some efforts to memorialize him at the school.
“It’s definitely a positive atmosphere for the Athertons,” Johnsen said.
She plans to graduate from UWEC in the fall of 2007, with a degree in arts management.
Reach Candice Novitzke at candice.novitzke@lee.net.
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