Jeremy Love is an achiever.

That's the attitude Seneca Valley High School Band Director Bob Matchette said characterizes his 16-year-old student. Love has been described as hard-working and an excellent time manager by his instructor.

His skills on the trumpet are impressive, too.

Love took his determination to the national level by submitting an audition video to be part of the 2018 Macy's Great American Marching Band for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 22. Love was selected to take part in the event where he will perform before a large crowd and a television audience of 3.5 million.

According to Love, an incoming junior at Seneca Valley, there are 160 members of the Thanksgiving band with three or four are picked from each state. Students from more than 14,000 high schools sent in audition videos, according to a press release.

Love said he was “really shocked” when he found out he was picked.

“It was a great shock,” Love said. “I found out while in school, but I told my parents first.”

Matchette said Love's classmates were excited about one of their own participating in a national event.

“We're very excited to watch him take part in this,” Matchette said.

Love began practicing the trumpet in fourth grade, when the Seneca Valley School District begins offering band. His older sister, Allison, was featured in the Seneca Valley band as well, playing the clarinet.

“It's something that I enjoy,” Love said. “It's something I put a lot of effort in and I got better over time. I love spending more time with it and having fun with it in places other than school.”

One of Love's favorite aspects about band is meeting new people. With 160 high school students coming together from all 50 states, Love will have no shortage of interaction with fellow students.

“The people you meet through band are all great,” Love said. “It's such an experience and what you learn from band is incredible. It's challenging and it's a way to challenge yourself in other ways that isn't academics. I don't know if I want to compete professionally, but I want to play in college.”

Love, who also plays volleyball at Seneca Valley, said that he is excited for the band opportunity.

He isn't the only one excited.

Matchette said that he wasn't “super surprised” with Love's inclusion in the Macy's band, calling his student a “talented kid.”

“He's done really well. As a sophomore he did really well outside of the things he did at our school as well. He went to Regional Band, a bunch of honors ensembles. I was really proud and happy for him. The skills that Jeremy learns are transferable,” said Matchette.

Love also takes private lessons to hone his craft. He is instructed by Drew Fennell, who conducted Love during his three years with the River City Youth Brass Band.

“I was proud he took the initiative,” Fennell said. “It wasn't something on my radar, but he came to me with information and got his audition ready. It was a nice surprise to hear he made it.”

Fennell, who called Love a “quality guy in every possible way,” said his private lessons focuses on whatever Love requests. They worked together on his audition piece, but mainly Fennell serves as Love's guide.

The two have been doing private lessons for almost four years.

Love is currently raising money to finance his trip to New York City. He has set up a GoFundMe account. He was also given a monetary donation by the Seneca Valley Band Boosters.

In a press release, Love said he hopes to make his band family proud.

“It is an honor being accepted as a member of the Great American Marching Band, but is even a bigger honor to be recognized unexpectedly by the SV Band Boosters,” Love said in the release. “As you know, the trip is a big expense, and every small donation helps, but this donation is an amazing help. I am excited to be representing the Seneca Valley Marching Band in New York City.”

Love is still waiting for the official music, which is expected to arrive in September. Until then, Love will keep doing his usual practice.

“I am really excited for this opportunity,” he said.