Swingspan Grand Champions again

WAHOO, Neb. -  Fort Madison High School's Swingspan show choir is on a roll, having secured the Grand Champion title for the second time in two weeks, this time at the Wahoo Court of Champions show choir competition in Wahoo, Nebraska.
Facing off against 16 schools from Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, and Colorado, Swingspan delivered a high-energy and captivating performance that left the audience in awe and earned the favor of the judges. The show featured standout solos from seniors Oliver Santiago, Ella Wright, Aiden Benda, and Javean Davis.
When asked about his thoughts on the season Stoddard says,“It feels amazing to see all the kids’ hard work pay off. The kids came into the season with a goal in mind and were not going to stop until they reached it. Once they reached their goal, they set a new one. It has been so fun to watch them work as a team and realize that every single person within the show choir, band, and crew plays a vital role. Their hard work as a team is what has led them to success.”
Adding to their accolades, Swingspan also scooped up several other awards, including Most Entertaining Show, Best Vocals (group), Best Choreography, and Best Show Band. Crimson and Black also found success in Nebraska by winning the unisex division.
Senior Jamarkus Kline received special recognition as the Best Performer of the competition, a prestigious honor awarded to only four individuals. Kline's exceptional singing, dancing, and stage presence earned him a $22,000 scholarship to attend Midland University, a private institution located in Freemont, Nebraska. Kline, a four-year show choir participant, undoubtedly left a lasting impression on the judges.
Success on stage is secondary to how the students represent themselves and their school as Stoddard added, “more important than winning and performing is the pride the kids bring back to the community every time we go out to compete. They are proud to be from FM and want to show everyone at the competitions how great FM is. They sit in the performance venue all day to cheer on the other groups, and are always complimenting them in the hallways. They understand how important it is to represent our community in the best way possible!”
Swingspan's remarkable season continues as they gear up for the Central Lee Connections Invitational at Central Lee High School next Saturday. They will culminate their show choir season by hosting the annual Stars in the Spotlight event on March 2.