Area schools have announced the recent achievements of their students and teachers.
OneVoice chosen for prestigious album
Briarcrest Christian School’s OneVoice was one of four high school groups in the world chosen for the “best-of” a cappella album “Voices Only 2018.” Their song “What About Us,” featuring senior Avery Veteto, is track number 2 on the second disc of the compilation.
This two-volume a cappella album features some of the best and most well-known a cappella groups in the world, including 5-time ICCA Champions The SoCal VoCals, world-renowned professional act The Swingles, NBC’s “The Sing-Off” season one runner-up Tufts Beelzebubs, YouTube sensation Backtrack, Pop TV’s “Sing It On” featured group Faux Paz, and winners of BBC’s The Naked Choir 2015 The Sons of Pitches.
This is the fifth year in a row that OneVoice has made this exclusive collection. They remain the second most awarded a cappella group in the world behind only GRAMMY winning, Billboard charting artists Pentatonix.
Briarcrest sophomore selected for National Concert Band
Sophomore Band student Spencer Cox at Briarcrest Christian School has recently been accepted by national audition into the 2018 All National Concert Band. Out of thousands of applicants, Spencer was chosen to represent Briarcrest this fall in Orlando, Fla., at the National Music Education Convention. A school spokesman said, “We are so incredibly proud of Spencer’s talent and hard work.”
Briarcrest announces 2018-19 class officers
Briarcrest’s class officers for the 2018-2019 school year are as follows.
Freshmen
- Chancellor: Josh Russell of Germantown
- Vice Chancellor: Miller Manguno of Germantown
- Secretary: Landon Haywood of Lakeland
- Chaplain: Claire Evans of Collierville
Sophomores
- Chancellor: Cody Speed of Germantown
- Vice Chancellor: Zara Jadol of Collierville
- Secretary: Sarah Strong of Eads
- Chaplain: Bridgett Barek of Lakeland
Juniors
- Chancellor: T. J. Tunstall of Memphis
- Vice Chancellor: Brendan Granger of Collierville
- Secretary: Addison Toy of Collierville
- Chaplain: Jonah Rinehart of Cordova
Seniors
- Chancellor: Jack Kruse of Collierville
- Vice Chancellor: Cole Powers of Eads
- Secretary: Abby Read of Collierville
- Chaplain: Anne Gosnell of Collierville
SBA cheer squad earns gold at Ole Miss camp
The St. Benedict at Auburndale High School Cheer Squad gave it their all at the UCA Cheer Camp at Ole Miss –so much so, that they brought home the gold.
They were named Camp Champs in Small Varsity and received superior ribbons for Side-line, Cheer Evaluations and Rally Routine. They also garnered three Spirit Sticks, one for each day at camp. The Squad is coached by Candace Nurse. Sponsor is Heather Freel.
Squad members are Avery Baker, sophomore from Arlington; Isabelle Baker, freshman from Cordova; Maggie Bray, sophomore from Collierville; Zoe Cowell, freshman from Lakeland; Caroline Dorian, freshman from Memphis; Grayson Ferber, junior from Lakeland; Logan Ford, freshman from Germantown; Co-Captain Graycie Hogan, junior from Bartlett; Elise Horton, freshman from Arlington; Mary Matthews, freshman from Germantown; Kayla Reed, freshman from Memphis; Delia Sevilla, freshman from Memphis; Laney Skinner, junior from Collierville; Captain Savanna St. John, senior from Cordova; and Simone Thompson, sophomore from Memphis.
Ellendale teacher attends arts training
Susanna House, a first-grade teacher at Ellendale Elementary School in Bartlett, attended the 2018 Tennessee Arts Academy, the nation’s premier summer teacher training institute for arts education.
More than 300 K-12 public and private school teachers from across the state were chosen to attend the week-long session, a program of the Tennessee Department of Education. It was held on the campus of Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. The teachers and administrators trained at the Tennessee Arts Academy each year impact over 150,000 Tennessee students all across the state when they return to their individual school districts and classrooms in the fall.
The Academy’s advanced curriculum, cutting-edge methodology and unique philosophical perspective maximize participants’ learning experiences. With renewed energy and knowledge, educators trained at the Tennessee Arts Academy are better equipped and motivated to raise achievement standards and effect positive and lasting change for Tennessee students, providing them with the necessary skills to become creative and productive members of our work force and society.
This year the Academy’s nationally and internationally renowned instructors came from across the U.S. and taught a diverse range of classes in music, theatER, visual art and dance as well as special classes in arts leadership, administration and assessment.
Special events included three on-campus art exhibits, a performance by the string trio Time for Three, a presentation by young Broadway star Laura Osnes, a speech by Grammy-winner American composer Libby Larson, a presentation from portrait artist and athlete Jon Moody, the presentation of the Joe W. Giles Lifetime Achievement Award to speech and theatre educator Linda Wilson Miller, the presentation of the Lamar Alexander Founder’s Award of Distinction to Tennessee Senator Mark Norris and the TAA Distinguished Service Award to scenic and costume designer Tony Walton, who has won Oscar, Emmy and Tony awards (“Guys and Dolls,” “Pippin” and “Mary Poppins”). Teachers also attended performances by FALL, The Carpetbag Theatre, Paulo Oliveira and the Tennessee Arts Academy Chorale under the direction of Michael Culloton.
For more information, visit tennesseeartsacademy.org or call (615) 460-5451.
