ABOUT

Hi, this is Ben Adams. I'm a senior at Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy. I've attended this school since 7th grade. It's been one crazy journey for sure. Summer of 2018, I attended the Radio Disney Music Awards in Los Angeles. That kickstarted my passion and drive into event planning and organization when it comes to the music industry. That fall of 2018, I attended my first year at Maeser. Throughout that 7th grade year, I would always try to come up with crazy things to attempt such as a "24 hours in a locker" challenge, "last to leave the circle" challenge, eating gross food challenges, and more. I realized that's not what I wanted to be known for. Towards the end of that school year, I had the crazy idea to throw a music event. It would be my first. I knew I had to start somewhere. I proposed my idea to my history teacher, MZ. She was so kind enough to attend the first board meeting with me to get the idea approved. It was a stressful evening, but somehow I convinced the school board to let me go through with my idea. Originally, I was going to have the festival in September of 2019 but was advised to move it to January of 2020 to give me more time to prepare. I prepared that whole summer of 2019. 

Coming into 8th grade was fun. I was ready to work on this festival. I was directed to get help from Mr. Gilbert. He would become the biggest help I've ever had from anyone at Maeser. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't be where I am today. He somehow got me into his entrepreneurship class during my 8th grade year instead of the normal MSI class for middle school. That Winterim taught me so much about business and work ethics. That whole month of January, I prepared for the day, January 18, 2020. January 18 finally came, the day of the festival. We somehow managed to make it through the day without any BIG accidents. That whole event really pushed me into the Utah music scene. Since then, I've organized various types of events ranging from music festivals to music award shows. I also started my own band, Southernmost Gravy, because of the 2020 festival. We've gotten our name out there. Without Maeser giving me this opportunity, none of what I have now in the music scene would be here. 

For my senior year, I want to end it off with the same way I started. Throwing a music festival with my best friends. at one of the best schools. I took a break since the last festival, but I'm ready to make this the biggest event I've ever thrown.

- Ben Adams :)