HERALD STAFF REPORT

PARRISH -- Several years ago, Buffalo Creek Middle School was considering doing away with its orchestra program due to funding concerns.

But parents urged administrators to continue and the school complied.

The results were on display in Tampa this week as eighth-grader Natasha Posada, 13, became the school's first member of the Florida Music Educators Association's All-State Honors Middle School Orchestra.

"It's an awesome experience," said Natasha who started playing the violin at Buffalo Creek just two years ago but was deemed good enough this year to get eighth chair violin out of about 20 statewide.

"I think I have a talent from God," Natasha said. "I really don't know how I could be as talented as I am. When I picked up the violin, I just knew what to do."

Natasha was scheduled to play Saturday with other all-staters in a 9:30 a.m. concert at the Tampa Convention Center.

"My best memory will probably be playing with everyone else," Natasha said. "It sounds amazing as we have come together as an orchestra."

Natasha is among just a handful of Manatee County students who were selected for all-state, and among them is Nick Miller of Lakewood Ranch High. Nick qualified for all-state guitar ensemble, said Mustang band director Ron Lambert.

"This is Nick's third year in a row going to all-state in guitar ensemble, which is very rare," Lambert said. "Nick also plays sax in our jazz band."