Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Performing Arts topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Columbia County students earn regional and state honors in band, choir and theater
Summary
The Columbia County School Board recognized students from Fort White, Columbia High School and others for selection to North Florida Honor Band, Florida All‑State Choir and state theater competitions; district staff and teachers praised students and programs.
The Columbia County School Board on Jan. 28 recognized students from Fort White High School, Columbia High School and other district schools after selections to regional and state music and theater honors.
Board members applauded students named to the North Florida Honor Band and the Florida All‑State Choir, and teachers described the audition and judging process used to select students for those ensembles. The district also highlighted several students who will advance to state competition in theater. The recognition came during the board’s presentations portion of the meeting.
The North Florida Honor Band is an auditioned ensemble drawing top middle‑ and high‑school players from Baker, Bradford, Columbia, Gilchrist, Suwannee and Union counties. One speaker noted, “To be selected for the North Florida Honor Band is a huge honor.” The board was told Columbia County students made up about 25% of the selected students in the high‑school honor band this year.
Fort White students named included Ethan Borchardt (not present), Steven Battles, Jackson Bailey, Lillian Reed and Tucker Ayers; high‑school honorees included Kinsey Madero, Aurora Sykes, Addison Mosley, Anna Grace Ayers, Ashlyn Sogg, Dalen Cooper, Caleb Chestnut and Jacob Ayers. Columbia High School honorees listed included Alicia Del Castillo (All‑State selection), Cassidy Populin, Cece Cabrera, Aliyah Rogers, Leila Scribe, Caleb Rogers, Kyler Keithley, Isaiah Bell, Avery Nelson and Steven Bell.
Bethany Harris, Fort White High School choir director, described the All‑State choir selection process, noting students must pass a music theory exam, a sight‑reading test and a vocal quality audition before being selected. Harris said the process is “very high, very difficult to do” and praised the students who qualified.
Crystal Free, chorus and theater teacher and director at Columbia High School, told the board that Columbia’s troupe chartered in 2014 and that several students earned superior ratings at district competition and will advance to the state theater contest in Tampa during spring break. Free named students advancing in solo musical and acting categories, and thanked parents and staff for their support.
Board members and Superintendent comments emphasized district support for performing arts programs and congratulated students and teachers for the honors and for representing Columbia County at regional and state events.
The board’s acknowledgments were ceremonial and no formal action was required.
