Elizabeth Christensen is a senior at La Costa Canyon High School, and this year she holds a title no student at the school has held before: head drum major of the Maverick Brigade, the only marching band in the San Dieguito Union High School District. She leads the program in that role.
Christensen's Leadership in the Band
Christensen has served as an auxiliary captain. The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that she is La Costa Canyon's first female head drum major.
Band director Charles Mekealian leads the program. The Maverick Brigade also performs at tournaments across Southern California.
A Band District-Wide, Not Just Schoolwide
The Maverick Brigade draws participants from beyond La Costa Canyon's own halls, with students from San Dieguito Academy, Diegueño Middle School and Oak Crest Middle School also taking part, according to the Union-Tribune's reporting. Christensen's service work also includes a youth-led nonprofit, Striving to Serve, which she now leads as president and had started with her brother Michael by January 2024, as San Diego Union-Tribune reported in June. The siblings' service work included a JustServe club at La Costa Canyon, where Michael served as president.
The siblings' early work included an October 2023 stuffed-animal drive that, according to the Church News, collected more than 500 stuffed animals for children in crisis situations by the end of that month. The outlet also reported that the pair mentor younger middle school students in how to serve and use the JustServe platform.
A Nonprofit Focused on Community Service
Christensen has plans for future service programs across the district's five high schools and five middle schools, according to the Union-Tribune.
The siblings' work has included writing letters and thank-you cards to military members and veterans, Church News reported.
National Recognition and What Comes Next
Christensen has earned national recognition for that work. She received a Congressional Award Gold Medal — described by the Union-Tribune as the highest honor Congress gives to young Americans for achievements in community service and personal development — and traveled to Washington, D.C. for the Congressional Award Gold Medal Summit.
Looking ahead, Christensen has a plan to expand student-led community service across the district, according to the Union-Tribune. Christensen's senior year includes both her role as drum major and her community service work.
