A look at some of the members of the Class of 2007, where they've been, and where they're going.

Name: Alison Thigpen
Hometown: Mount Pleasant
High School: Wando High School
Major: music education (master's)
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Alison Thigpen knew she wanted to be a band director at a major university the moment she began playing clarinet for her band in high school. Little did she know that her ambitions would bring her to the University of South Carolina and land her at the University of Notre Dame as an assistant band director.

"It is my dream job, and I'll get paid for it," said Thigpen. "I've always wanted to be a band director. I knew of the band tradition at Notre Dame, and, well, ?Rudy' is one of my favorite movies."

At Notre Dame, Thigpen will work with one of the largest university marching bands in the country, comprising more than 380 students. In addition, she will co-conduct concert bands and various chamber ensembles.

While Thigpen began her collegiate band pursuits at the University of Georgia, she wanted to return home to attend the University of South Carolina for her master's degree because of the strong reputation of its School of Music. She has served as a graduate assistant for the university's marching and concert bands.

"USC is well known," Thigpen said. "The School of Music has been hiring better and better faculty, and it's getting harder to get in because the quality of students is rising. It is an up-and-coming university, and the positive changes are evident in the construction that you see and the well-rounded experience you receive."

She said she will take with her many good memories, including that one tops all others: beating Florida.

"I'll never forget the feeling of beating Florida last year," said Thigpen, who says the size and tradition of the University of South Carolina's marching band helped prepare her for Notre Dame. "It was thrilling to be part of the marching band, knowing that we contributed to the victory with what we played in the stands. We created an atmosphere for our fans, and it was great to see our students so excited."

Thigpen believes school spirit and pride stem from getting involved in university organizations.

"It makes you feel connected to the university community and alumni," said Thigpen. "Working with the marching band here made me feel part of something big and great."