As we approach the end of the 2025-26 school year, Jacob Morales (‘26) is preparing to step into the next stage of life: the long awaited— and slightly daunting— adulthood.
Immediately following his graduation, Jacob plans to go on tour with his hardcore band, MONKEYPAW, across several states in the U.S. Current tour destinations will include Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Oregon, Idaho, and Utah. Post secondary wise, he plans to pursue an education at Aims community college for music production and music business.
Jacob’s appreciation for hardcore music blossomed his freshman year, although he has always had an obsession with sound. Music has never failed to be an outlet for Jacob, whether he is playing it or simply just listening with an open ear. Jacob picked up drum lessons when he was just six years old, but his talent for percussion really began to show its face when he picked the hobby back up in 2020 with a more serious attitude.
During Jacob’s freshman year, he joined Mead High School’s band program, and immediately fell in love with the community of like minded people. Over the course of his four years at Mead, he has been able to participate in marching band, jazz band, as well as symphonic band, earning the title of drum line captain during his senior home-stretch.
Jacob has been consistently dedicated to his role in band and would like to specifically thank his directors, past and present, including Abby Judy, Gideon Matchee, and Francisco Borja for their constant support and guidance. An honorable mention must be paid to band camp and to the football games, as Jacob notes that they facilitated so many wonderful memories.
Outside of school, Morales has been able to play at a plethora of venues. At these shows and on his own personal endeavors, he has had the privilege of connecting with some very talented and inspirational musicians. Jacob partially credits the lead vocalist of Destiny Bond Cloe Janzen for his career choice, stating, “I’ve seen her way of life and I aspire to be that… a Jack of all trades.”
Because music is such a big factor for Morales, there are several albums in specific that he would like to thank for getting him through high school, including but not limited to:
Morning View– Incubus
Mesmerize– System of a Down
The Mollusk– Ween
Songs to Scream at the Sun– Have Heart
Never Enough– Turnstile
Getting Killed– Geese
Jacobs advice to incoming freshmen is simple; don’t make the things that you love a chore, and allow yourself to breathe. “It’s not a race,” stated Jacob.
Jacob’s advice to his freshman self follows this same simplicity. He parents his younger self by curtly stating “Clean your room…make your bed, and get off that damn phone.” It’s true.
Jacob’s biggest shoutouts go to his mom and dad, his brothers Dylan and Zac, Jamie Hedlun, Payton Grasser, Emerald Chavez, Natalie Lundquist, Alex Casano, Sophie Liposcak, the Denver band True Crime, and D3 Arts for their support throughout the last four years.
Jacob’s senior quote, a line from “The Unbreakable” by Have Heart, says it all: “just love the world that won’t love you back,” and with that in mind, we wish Jacob the best in all that he continues to accomplish in his adult life.
