Hannibal brightest Star in Spotlight

FORT MADISON - The enthusiasm inside Fort Madison High School on Saturday was unlike any other as the school hosted its annual Stars in the Spotlight home show choir competition. Schools from across the region filled the school, bringing their top performances in hopes of winning. 
Fifteen groups representing 11 schools took the stage, all of which captured different kinds of energy and passion, but only one of them took home the Grand Champion title. 
This year’s competition featured Central Lee, Quincy, Hannibal, Southeast Polk, Washington, Chillicothe, Keokuk, Mount Pleasant, Mediapolis, Evans Middle School and Oak Ridge Middle School. 
The six finalists for the event included Southeast Polk’s all-female prep group, “Vocal Gold,” Central Lee’s “CENTRifugAL Force,” Mount Pleasant’s “InMotion,” Quincy's “Electric Blue,” Southeast Polk's “RAMification” and Hannibal's “River City Revue.” 
Ultimately, Hannibal’s “River City Revue” outfitted in Americana garb, impressed the judges with powerful vocals and songs like “Big Dreams in a Small Town/Down by the Lazy River,” “Singin’ in the Rain/When the Levee Breaks,” “Huck Finn Blues,” “Dancin’ at the Lighthouse” and “It’s America,” all themed around their hometown of Hannibal to earn them the title of Grand Champion. 
However, there’s more that goes into a home competition other than the performers and what happens on stage. Behind the scenes, the community really showed out on Saturday.
Fort Madison Athletic Director Jeff Lamb, who served as one of the event’s MCs, is seeing the competition from a unique perspective backstage.
“The energy is awesome. It’s hard to explain, but watching a performer who is super nervous before getting on stage and then immediately transforming into a performer is really amazing.”
Assistant Principal Amy Thacher, who got to MC for the first half, added on how it’s not just important to them as administrators, but how it’s crucial for the students as well, who put their time and energy into these performances.

“It’s a way to show them that an administrator is willing to take their Saturday to be there to support them, and to me, they really do notice that. If anything, it’s a way for me to connect with kids.”
There’s a multitude of things that go into a show choir competition, and seeking help from parents and community members is something that Fort Madison strives to do to have the competition run as smoothly as they can. 
Eran Terrell, a supporter of the program, is familiar with the show choir scene as she has one kid currently in show choir, but it’s important to her to help out.
“It was pretty amazing, I just like to see how everybody from different schools and all adults come together to help at one event. It’s such a different environment from seeing students at school.”
For Rachel Benda, the volunteer aspect is important for the program to thrive. 
“Music has always been an important part of our lives, and we are lucky that our kids are blessed with the same opportunities that we were! We volunteer so the program can continue to thrive.”
Former Choir Director and judge at this year’s competition, Allen Chapman, talks about the community within the students as well.
“Performing in a musical ensemble teaches young people a lot, teaches them to create a work of art collaboratively with a group of people that all love to perform and all love music.”
For Fort Madison High School, it’s not about how this event is helping the school, but what it does to help the students. The care and passion for their students go a long way, and community members and faculty on Saturday proved that.