On Monday, December 15, the junior high and high school vocal departments presented their annual Christmas concert, offering a much-needed moment of joy during a season that can sometimes feel overwhelming for families. With busy schedules, high expectations, and end-of-year demands, this time of year can be stressful—but the MJSHS vocal students provided something truly special. For a moment, their performance lightened the load, brought smiles to faces throughout the audience, and reminded us just how blessed we are to live in our small community.
With 11 poinsettias decorating the auditorium stage, the junior high vocalists opened the evening with Festive Alleluia. They did a beautiful job performing three other selections: Winters Waking, Blizzard, and Festive Noel. A little humor was sprinkled in as two students presented a parent's wish list for Christmas, which included a nap, a real silent night, and the elimination of hearing kids talk about numbers between 5 and 8. The jokes helped set a joyful tone for the night.
After a brief transition break, the high school vocal students followed with a program that catered to the audience by providing a little of everything, featuring selections such as I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, Fum, Fum, Fum, and an especially moving candlelit performance of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas that could make just about anyone be a little misty-eyed at its conclusion.
The evening concluded on a fun, upbeat note with the vocal select group, New Image, performing pop favorites such as "Roar", "Uptown Girl", and "Girls Just Want to Have Fun". New Image never disappoints the audience with their exceptional singing and dancing, which Kaegan Hardesty and Elle Scott choreographed.
A special thank you goes out to our vocal instructor, Mrs. Hocking, accompanist Mrs. Mraz, and violinist Amanda Crosson--who played during the junior high choir’s performance of December Rose. The dedication of these professionals to our students and the performing arts in our community is greatly appreciated.
Also, a special thank you to all the students for your hard work in preparing for this exemplary performance, which helped rekindle the Christmas spirit by reminding the audience that although the holidays can at times be stressful, they are still special and that sometimes we all need to slow down and take in the moment.
Junior High:
Damian Arnold, Adley Bates, Adilynn Biggs, Jon Chamoff, Peyton Chesney, Anny Courson, Chance Dionne, Kynlee Hardesty, Asher Harris, John Heckart, Harrison Hosler, Easton Kline, Keaton Knudsen, Brysen Lemieux, Morgan McClure, Nadia Murrison, Keynan Peet, Ember Pickett, Chloe Piper, Ava Pratt, Paige Shaft, Hadley Smith, Madex Swisher, Josiah Thomson, Julie VanHyfte, Addie Willis
Concert Choir:
Jazzmine Adamson, Kaylee Anderson, Michelle Baker, Madison Brock, Charlotte Chamoff, Cooper Courson, Macee Denison, Skylar Denison, Brooklynn Derousseau, Ashlynn Disney, Charlie Farmer, Riley Fuller, Madison Heckart, Brooklynn Hendrick, Brooke Hickman, Aubrey Kendall, Blayde Pagel, Hayley Parks, Amiyah Sharp, Ava Smith, Graysin Smith, Lily Terrill, Ian Thomson, Brecken Weatherman, Jessica Young, Kenyon Deronnet, Tait Smith
New Image:
Sarai Ausherman, Kendyn Biggs, LeeShawn Grindstaff, Kaegan Hardesty, Rylin Johnson, Aubryn Just, Brooke Kindall, Aiden Oppenheim, Hannah Ringquist, Nola Sanders, Elle Scott, Alanna Wilson, Lorelei Wilson.