Stars to shine this Saturday

FORT MADISON - The decorations have started to fill the halls of Fort Madison High School as they prepare to host the 37th annual Stars in the Spotlight show choir competition on Saturday, March 7th.
As soon as someone steps foot in the building, there’s a difference between a show choir Saturday and a normal Saturday at Fort Madison.
The environment at a show choir competition is like no other. Backstage, performers are rushing between costume changes, a mix of nerves and excitement. Throughout the halls, decor fills every corner, and in the audience, parents and family members excitedly wait for the next performance. 
Fort Madison High School senior Ellie Huebner said the preshow work is arduous.
"There’s so much work and preparation that goes into hosting. Long hours, organizing, decorating, and making everything look amazing. We love welcoming other schools and showing pride in ours.”  
“Out of all my sports and activities, I love to compete — I think it’s one of my strongest qualities,” Huebner adds.  
Huebner’s comment highlights the uniqueness of the atmosphere at a show choir competition, but also the anticipation throughout the preparation.
Fort Madison junior Jonah Santiago touched on the difference between this week and any other rehearsal week. 

“The energy feels different because you can tell everyone is more excited than normal to host our own competition.” 
While Fort Madison’s Swingspan and Crimson and Black will not be competing this Saturday, they will take the stage a final time for an exhibition performance as they hope to end on a high note as they bid farewell to their seniors. 
Huebner reminisced on her time spent in Show Choir and the bittersweetness of it all.
"It’s my last one ever, and that makes it hard to let go. I’ve been competing for six years, and it’s truly one of my favorite things to do.” 
This year’s competition will feature Central Lee, Quincy, Hannibal, Southeast Polk, Washington, Chillicothe, Keokuk, Mount Pleasant, Mediapolis, Evans Middle School (Ottumwa) and Oak Ridge Middle School.  
After Stars in the Spotlight is over, the next couple of months will be spent practicing for their final showcase of the season, Dessert Theatre, which highlights many of the seniors and lets them perform one last time.  
The first performance this Saturday will start at 9:00 a.m., performed by Fort Madison’s Middle School Show Choir “Fortissimo,” and daytime awards start at 6:30 p.m. Tickets will be available for 15 dollars at the door.