Sara Palin - flutist

Sara Palin was just announced as John McCain's vice presidential running mate for the Republican nomination for President of the United States.

Why does this matter to we flutists?

Because Sara is a flutist herself!

Born February 11, 1964, Sara is the current Governor of Alaska.

In 1984, Sara entered the Miss Alaska beauty pageant and earned second place as well as the Miss Congeniality title. Her talent? None other than playing the flute!

Sara Palin certainly didn't grow up in the beauty pageant world.

Sara was a very well-rounded young lady, playing point guard and captain for the Wasilla High School Warriors, which won the Alaska small-school basketball championship in 1982. She was even known as Sara Barracuda because she was so aggressive on the court. I guess that will come in handy with the media, too.

She was drawn to the pageant scene when she needed money for college. Her parents, both teachers, had four children in college at the same time. Sara needed money for tuition.

Although she wasn't going to major in music in college, her talent with playing the flute helped secure her college degree. Perhaps that's a good model for young people who are considering their major in college. Music is a difficult path unless you really want to be a public school teacher. Why not be a good musician and not worry about making a living with it? Of course, it didn't hurt that she was very pretty, too!

The conventional wisdom dictates that young people must pigeon-hole themselves into one narrow field of music, sports, or academics.

Who says you can't do it all?

Read more about this amazing young woman. Will we have a flutist in the White House? Only time will tell--go Sara!

Read the official biography of Sara Palin.