25 USD 418 MUSICIANS EARN ALL-STATE HONORS

By Staff

            MCPHERSON – The McPherson USD 418 music departments announced recently that 25 middle school and senior high music students have earned some type of all-state honors by either the KMEA of the KCDA.

            Those 25 local students representing McPherson in the State’s top music ensembles were selected from among 10,000 students across the state of Kansas who auditioned with hopes they would make one of these ensembles where less than 1,000 students end up with the opportunity to represent their schools.

            Nine McPherson Senior High students have been selected by the KMEA to represent USD 418 and the McPherson community in the 2023 KMEA All-State Honor Ensembles!

            Many of these names have been seen before due to previous year or years of recognition.

            The nine McPherson Senior High students honored include:

            Palmer Heskett – Trombone

            Mallory Holmes – Alto 1

            Lauren Newcom – Alto 1

            Bree Pickerell – Alto 1

            Joslynn Riley – Alto 2

            Elianna Rush – Clarinet

            Kyndall Sandbo – Trumpet

            Zach Stein – Tuba

            Laci Turner – Horn

            Among those nine were five who are repeating, those are: Mallory Holmes – 3^rd year All-State Selection; Lauren Newcom – 3^rd year All-State Selection; Joslynn Riley – 2^nd year All-State Selection; Elianna Rush – 2^nd year All-State Selection; and Laci Turner – 2^nd year All-State Selection.

            The All-State convention will begin on Thursday, February 23 with their performances being on Saturday, February 25.

            As for the McPherson Mid-Level All-State singers in the KCDA All-State Treble Choir, 16 local students will be represented at the All-State Convention in February.

            Among those named to the 2022-23 MCDA All-State Choir:

            ChesLea Allison – 8^th grade

            Keziah Bing – 6^th grade

            McKenzie Dammann – 8^th grade

            Allison Henry – 9^th grade

            Lillian Kahle – 8^th grade

            Julianna Johnson – 9^th grade

            Serenity Magnall – 8^th grade

            Billie May – 9^th grade

            Danae Paine – 8^th grade

            Alani Rodriguez – 6^th grade

            Melissa Rodriguez – 9^th grade

            Reesa Whorton – 9^th grade

            Hannah Wilgers – 6^th grade

            Olivia Wince – 9^th grade

            Lainey Worden – 8^th grade

            Ava Youngblood – 9^th grade

            Among those sixteen included four repeat honorees, those being – ChesLea Allison – 2^nd year All-State Selection; Lillian Kahle – 2^nd year All-State Selection; Serenity Magnall – 2^nd year All-State Selection; Danae Paine – 2^nd year All-State Selection.

(The Staff covering McPherson County Activities can be reached by email at crossdovewriter@gmail.com)