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Highlands Today

Blind Student Marches On

Kathy Waters/Highlands Today

Sebring High School band student Cody Breen, center, plays his part during practice on Monday. Breen is practicing a holiday musical selection for the upcoming Christmas parades.

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By Bill Rettew Jr. | Highlands Today

Published: November 27, 2007

SEBRING — Appearances aren't everything.

Only after they were told, did some judges realize that a trumpeter in the Sebring High School Marching Band was blind.

Junior Cody Breen marches and plays in formation so well that many in the audience never know he's been completely blind since birth.

A guide shadows Breen on the field and corrects the trumpeter if he takes a wrong turn.

"If I'm off a little bit, they'll put me in the right direction," said Breen. "I'm just trying to keep up with everybody else. The fun part is, I like surprises."

Junior Blue Streak intern Chris Morcate said that once Breen learns a routine or music, he then strives for perfection.

"(The guide) stands so close behind him – so perfectly – that nobody could see him and it looks like only one person," said Morcate. "The judges complimented us and said they didn't even realize it.

"He has a goal and he aspires to do it."

In addition to playing trumpet with the state ranked 78-member Spirit of Sebring Marching Band, Breen also plays guitar, keyboards and the drum set.

The Blue Streak marcher has his sights set on college and possibly a career in the music business.

Breen learned music only by hearing it and studies for class in Braille.

"I listen to a song once and play it by ear," said Breen. "The rush of adrenaline right before the show –– you get pumped up."

Breen considers himself lucky and not much different from other students, except he can't see.

"It's just a speed bump, nothing really bad," said Breen. "You can't really miss what you never had."

Band Director Colorado Paniagua worked with a blind timpani player while with another band, and when she heard Breen wanted to march, she worked to make his dream a reality.

"I try to do everything I can to not single him out," said Paniagua, "and it looks like he's doing everything without any help."

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