Maj. Ryan J. Nowlin, a 1996 graduate of North Royalton High School (NRHS) and member of the NRHS Alumni Hall of Fame, visited the school’s band students on October 31. Nowlin, who is the Director of the “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, was in town for a special performance at Severance Hall on October 30 that many current and former students and staff attended.
On October 31, band students gathered in the Performing Arts Center to hear Nowlin share his journey from North Royalton through teaching and finally joining the President's Own Marine Band. He encouraged students to find their own path in life, and to explore what gives them joy and use that as the guiding force in deciding their path in life.
Nowlin reminisced about walking the NRHS halls and performing on the school's auditorium stage. He played video clips of his compositions performed by the Marine Band. His advice to pursue joy and purpose resonated with the aspiring student musicians.
“It is exciting to have that ‘North Royalton’ connection to someone like Major Ryan Nowlin,” said Director of Bands David Vitale, North Royalton High School. “His position has taken him all over the world, and he has had some amazing life experiences, and it is special for me because I remember performing in the NRHS band together with him as students. And it is also special for our students to hear him speak, knowing he was in the North Royalton band, and to see where his career has taken him.”
