It was Friday night in Orland Park and the lights at Seliga Field at Sandburg High School were burning bright, the band was performing and color guard flags were flying.
There was, however, no football on this October night.
It was senior night for the Sandburg band and one senior picked up a huge honor as Carter Schott was recognized for being a sectional winner of the National Federation of State High School Associations Heart of the Arts Award. He was honored for overcoming spinal muscular atrophy, a form of muscular dystrophy which prevents his body from producing a protein that allows his muscles to communicate.
He was given a standing ovation by fans in the stands after receiving his award.
“I was astounded to win,” Schott said. “I didn’t think I had much of a chance. I was going up against so many people in the whole region.”
He was nominated by the Illinois High School Association and won in Section 4, which encompasses students from Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan.
In presenting the award, IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson said Schott “epitomizes why the IHSA believes so strongly in providing activities in addition to sports.”
“For Carter to be selected No. 1 in the state and to earn recognition as a section winner is really awesome,” he said.
Schott has used a wheelchair since he was very young, but he said he is determined not to let his physical ailments keep him down.
“I like to think of myself as differently-abled and not disabled,” he said. “Since I was younger, I had the outlook that if you can’t stand up, stand out,” he said. “So, I set out to do things that people don’t think I would be able to and prove them wrong. I want to show them that people with disabilities don’t always have to be limited by their disability.”
He is a member of the marching, pep and jazz bands. He was on a unified bass fishing team that finished second in the state in 2019 and is also a part of the school’s robotics team.
Sandburg assistant principal Greg Gardner oversees the various activities offered by the school and he has an admiration for Schott.
“He is truly one of the most joyful students I have ever met,” Gardner said. “He always brings a ‘can do’ attitude to what he is doing. He exemplifies our school motto of being Elite Daily by continuously striving to do things that others might not think he is capable of and pushing himself past his physical limitations.”
Schott’s musical career started at Century Junior High and his father, Dave, was able to make a few adjustments to the wheelchair to allow Carter mobility while drumming in a marching band.
“Once we figured that out, I learned to play and drive at the same time. That was a moment that I said, ‘I can do more than I thought I could.'” Carter said.
Carter’s mother, Lisa, and sisters, Madeline and Alyssa, are singers, piano players and harp players and that started Carter’s love for music.
He said his favorite music is country and the Zac Brown Band is his favorite group. But when it comes to his favorite drummer, he goes back many decades to jazz drummer Buddy Rich, a popular musician of the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s.
“He set a course for music,” Schott said. “His style of drumming has so much more musicality and it’s used in the music today.”
Schott’s post-high school plans include two years at Moraine Valley Community College and two more at the University of Illinois, where he will major in engineering and hope to join the Illini drum line.
He admits to having down moments, but said he is happy that a school such as Sandburg has worked well with disabled students.
“People in the world aren’t used to having to deal with people with disabilities,” he said. “There are places that aren’t wheelchair accessible. There are many people who think there is much more wrong with you than you are. It’s tough to be in a world where there are people that won’t accept who you are.
“Sandburg has been very encouraging for those who have disabilities. They have installed a ramp so we can get out the door for fire drills and bringing out band equipment to the football field every summer. It’s just been very accommodating over there.
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
