Eight local students selected for all-state music groups

Six students from Lovell High School and one from Rocky Mountain received word this week that they have been selected for the Wyoming All-State Choir, and one LHS student was chosen for the All-State Orchestra.

Lovell’s honors list is highlighted by senior Damian Wagner, who is a rare four-year selection for the elite choir. He will sing tenor 2. Senior Jay Mayes was selected for the third time, singing bass 2. Second-year selections are junior Grady Henley, bass 1, and junior Wilson Hendershot, bass 2. Selected for the first time were junior Denna Slater, alto 1, and junior Kandace Asay, alto 2.

Freshman Isaac Sanders was selected for the All-State Orchestra, playing oboe 2.

LHS music director Carisa French said Wagner is actively involved in numerous school organizations.

“Damian is very driven and likes to be involved in as much as possible,” she said. “Within music, he has been in concert choir, show choir and jazz choir during his four years and is currently in show choir, jazz choir and percussion. He has been actively involved in music leadership the past two years, taking an active role in the development of the music program. He is also involved in cheer, Skills USA and student council, all while maintaining a high GPA.

Mayes is a leader in the LHS music department, French said.

Jay has auditioned for All State for three years and made it all three of those years, she said. “He is currently the music president. In this role he has a lot of responsibility making sure all leadership roles fulfill their duties, as well as helping with planning for the year. You can always find Jay staying actively involved in choir, percussion and music performance, which is our musical theater class. Jay likes to be involved in many activities including track, FFCLA and cheer. He also works hard to maintain other academic success and is a great asset to the programs he is involved in.”

Hendershot is actively involved in multiple music groups, French said.

“Wilson is the music vice president and assists the president,” she said. “Wilson has been a member of choir and music performance since his freshmen year. He auditioned and made it into show choir his freshmen year and is in his third year of show choir now. He was also a member of concert band his freshmen and sophomore years.

“This year he is also a member of concert choir as it makes a return as a strong choir. Wilson has not been able to be actively involved in sports (this fall) due to injury, but he keeps involved in other activities in school.”

Henley is involved with performance at both the school and community levels.

“Grady is an integral part of our music program, staying involved in show choir and music performance,” French said. “He is part of our music and drama leadership. He loves to sing and makes it a priority in his life. Grady also likes to be involved in other activities and sports. Since his freshmen year he has been a member of FFCLA and Student Council. He also enjoys competing in indoor track. He was featured in this week’s community production of “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

Slater has been actively involved in two high schools, French said.

“Denna is excited to be new to All State this year. She isn’t new to music and performing, however,” French said. “Her mom has been a music teacher in Wyoming for many years, which is where Denna’s love for performing started. She had a great music teacher in Kemmerer where she was involved in middle school and high school choir and band. She was also a member of their cheer team. Since moving to Lovell, she has continued her involvement in music as a member of music performance and jazz choir. She has also been a member of the cheer and dance teams in her two years here.”

Asay has musical roots in her family, French said.

“Kandace will be attending All State for the first year this year. Her mother (Emily) is a music teacher in the North Big Horn Basin and has instilled in Kandace a love for choral music,” French said. “Kandace is in her third year as a member of show choir. She enjoys singing outside of school for church and community events. She can also be found on the volleyball and basketball courts where she also shines. Kandace is an extremely hard worker and has a 4.0 GPA. It’s no surprise that her hard work pays off in the music room as she is successful in all of her pursuits.”

Sanders moved to Lovell for his eighth-grade year, French said.

“Isaac came to us well versed in music and drama and has been active the past two years in band and music performance,” French noted. “Isaac is an accomplished oboe player, and being selected to play in the All-State Orchestra this year is a high honor for a young player. Isaac is able to maintain a 4.0 GPA, giving prominence to all areas of study. He is an active member of the track teams at Lovell High School, as well.”

Rocky Mountain

RMHS sophomore Alex Walker was selected for the All-State Choir for the second time, keeping alive the possibility that he could be a four-time selection. He will sing bass 2.

Walker was honored for his achievement during Monday’s all-school band and choir concert at the RMHS Gym.

“Alex is a very hardworking young man who loves music,” RMHS music director Gerry Burton said. “He is dedicated to excellence and is a good example for the other choir members. Not only is this his second year attending All State, he is also working hard at joining the National Honor Choir this summer in Hawaii.”

The Wyoming All-State Music Festival is scheduled for January 19-20 at Cody High School, with the All-State Gala Concert to be held at CHS on Tuesday, Jan. 20.