ALUMNI: Class of 2013 graduate McKaela Sanders performs holiday classics with her band at the Festival of Lights.
By Ashley Gore, Staff Writer
The last time Poly students saw her, she floated across the stage in a flowing white graduation gown only a few minutes after performing a heartwarming rendition of “Lean on Me” with her beloved classmates. Fresh off of her starring role in Grease as Sandy, she looked to the future with a sparkle in her eye and music in her heart. Who was this talented Poly alumnus? None other than McKaela Sanders.
All of Riverside got the chance to see this former Bear shine on November 29 as she and her band belted Christmas carols with a hint of country-infused rock at the Festival of Lights. Even though her group, The Factory Tuned Band, is not new to the Festival’s main stage—this marks the band’s second Festival performance—Sanders still feels that “it is such a phenomenal experience!”
Although Sanders has contributed the lead vocals to The Factory Tuned Band for four years, navigating the world of music as a full-time college student changes the game. Currently enrolled in the two-year transfer program at Riverside Community College, Sanders feels the financial pressures of life after high school. She works two jobs on top of piles of homework, all while keeping her voice in tip-top shape for her budding music career.
While her “lifelong dream has always been becoming a musical artist and inspiring people around the world,” she understands the difficulties of making this dream come true. Luckily, she has many passions she would like to pursue, such as law enforcement. But even amongst hordes of fellow graduates throwing away dreams and crumbling under the demands of the real world, she refuses to let the odds stop her. She has back-up plans and advises others to do the same: “Life throws curveballs—keep your mind ready for the unexpected!”
Sanders’s determined, positive attitude gives current Bears an example of the ideal attitude to have after graduation. Never turning away from hard work, she pushes toward her dream with a level head. She plans on transferring to Cal State San Marcos and having a career in law enforcement alongside her musical one. She leaves her Alma Maters’ halls with words of wisdom: “Don’t ever let someone tell you that you are not good enough… Simply work hard, stay focused on that goal, and if you get discouraged, remind yourself of what has kept you going.”