After a few of their recent competitions, the award-winning students of Warren Central’s show choirs have been proudly celebrating their performances and the progress they have made together over the past few years, both within their groups and as individuals.
Senior Mal Hoehne won the “Outstanding Performer” award for Hi-Lites, the all-female show choir, at the Homestead Classic Invitational on Feb. 14. She is one of Warren’s many performers who, after years of hard work, has been glad to see her talent recognized in the midst of these competitions.
“Knowing that I stood out the most makes me feel like I got somewhere in being a performer and that performing hasn’t just been for pure enjoyment,” Hoehne said.
The Hi-Lites group also earned first runner-up and “Best Vocals” awards at Homestead. Sophomore Corbin Butler was named as the “Outstanding Performer” for the co-ed show choir, Connection, and Connection placed eighth in its division.
Senior Caileigh Jones was recognized as the “Best Soloist Within a Univoice Show” for Hi-Lites at both Homestead and the more recent Franklin Community ShowFest Invitational on Feb. 21.
“I think I’ve had a solo every single year that I’ve been in show choir and never won ‘Best Soloist’ before, so winning that award feels like it all paid off,” Jones said.
Jones also placed as second runner-up in the solo competition at ShowFest, with senior Yamondi Holmes earning first runner-up. Hi-Lites won first place in its competition, and senior Brizzeette Robleto was named “Outstanding Performer” for the group. Connection placed fourth in its division, with junior Mariah Dixon named “Outstanding Performer,” and Kori Smith earning the “Best Male Vocalist” title.
Most recently, at the Franklin Central Hoosier Show Choir Classic on Feb. 27, Connection was first runner-up and earned “Best Show Design,” and Dixon was the group’s “Outstanding Performer” again. Hi-Lites placed fourth, with senior Gracie Palmer recognized as “Outstanding Performer.” In solos, Holmes was named “Grand Champion," followed in scores by Jones and Dixon.
As the end of the season approaches, seniors like Smith, Hoehne and Jones are beginning to realize how much they’ll miss not only the competitions but also their show choir friends and directors. These students emphasize the importance of friendships within the class, noting that they all get along with each other well regardless of grade level.
“I look at them like little siblings,” Smith said. “I like to help them find themselves and push them to their full potential.”
Warren’s show choir programs prove to build strong, personal connections between members. The underclassmen feel just like the seniors do about their last few competitions together.
“I’ll be pretty sad, but I’ll know that they left such a huge impact,” junior Connection performer Mariah Dixon said. “They bring a different type of energy, so when they leave, that energy is leaving with them, but I’m going to try to carry out what they gave to me.”
The values that these students hold have contributed to their success and the variety of awards they earned this season. Their shared passion for the activity strengthens the program’s sense of unity, allowing the younger performers to build on the legacy left by the seniors.
“It’s great to be around younger people who are ready to continue to carry this program higher than it already is,” Jones said. “It gives me hope for the future.”