When most people were unwrapping gifts on Christmas Day and spending time with their family, one A&T student was driving down the highway preparing to deliver a little boy his only holiday wish: to have one of A&T’s drummers teach him how to play the drums.

Troy Hayden, a senior at N.C. A&T State University and a member of the Blue and Gold Marching Machine’s Cold Steel drum line, got the request and jumped on the opportunity to do something for 6-year-old, Raeshaun Emerson of Greensboro.

“At 9 a.m., (my mom and I) drove from Winston-Salem,” said Hayden, ready to bring the young boy a special Christmas gift.

“When (Raeshaun) answered the door, he put his hand over his mouth, his eyes wide open and he was like wowwwww,” he recalled. Dressed in full band attire, Hayden not only played for the young fan, he also left him with a pair of light up drum sticks.

“His mother said he slept with them all night and then woke up the next morning playing again,” he chuckled.

While both drummers played for each other that morning, Hayden said he was very impressed with Raeshaun’s skill level and natural talent. “He is definitely more advanced for his age. And he has a plan. He wants to go to Aycock Middle School, Dudley High School and A&T – all three schools that have a very prominent percussion section.”

He encourages all children to play a musical instrument, adding that learning how to read notes and the weight a note holds “helps you with math, like remembering your (multiplication) table and things like that,” said Hayden.

“(Raeshaun) was very good and very teachable,” he added.

Hayden, an industrial and systems engineering major, is a student assistant for the drum line and has been a part of the popular band since he was a freshman. He said the Christmas Day gesture is just a part of being in the marching machine.

“We do things like this all the time. We are always performing for middle schools and doing drum shows for our community,” he said.

Hayden, who will be graduating in May, is no stranger to the spotlight. He served as captain of the drumline when they performed last year in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and said he has had many great experiences being a part of the band.

But this Christmas memory will stay with him for a long time.

The story garnered attention when a family member posted the surprise moment on YouTube and later a local reporter ran a story in the newspaper.

“I’m really glad I did it. I liked the idea of giving back and doing something for a child. I mean, that’s what the holiday is all about. It’s about giving, not receiving,” he said.