March 2018
Watseka Sensations 40th Anniversary Show Choir Invitational
r i o h C w o h S a k e s t Wa t a l a n o i t a t i v In
40 Former participants look back at the legacy of show choir in Watseka.
March 2018
A special section from Kankakee Valley Publishing
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Watseka Sensations 40th Anniversary Show Choir Invitational
The Sensations Legacy By CARLA WATERS, Managing Editor cwaters@intranix.com March 9-10 is the 40th Watseka Community High School Show Choir Invitational. One of the longest running show choir invitationals in the country is hosted each year right here in Iroquois County. The event has a special place in the hearts of many people. On average, if there were 30 students participating in the Watseka Sensations show choir, called swing choir in the early days, that would mean more than 1,200 people took part over those 40 years. From looking at old photos, it looks like the numbers were smaller in those early days, but in recent years there’s been as many as 50 participants. The event is more than just the singers and dancers, with crew members taking care of costumes and gear and the combo, or band, playing the music for the show. Throughout the 40 years the shows have become more elaborate. In fact, those who attend a show choir invitational today will be treated to an event that has been likened to Broadwaystyle performances. Many of the schools, including smaller ones, have extravagant costumes and props. The Watseka Show Choir Invitational has hosted many schools throughout those 40 years and many of those schools continue to come back to Watseka year after year. Most of those who have participated in show choir for Watseka have fond memories of their time with the group. The group has been so popular through the years that there are many, many families who have more than one family member who participated, including some with generations of participants. In my own immediate family, I’m the odd person out because I didn’t grow up here. My husband, three children and one nephew have all been Sensations. The performers work hard throughout the year to prepare for the show choir competition season. They start in the summer before school begins and learn some of the dancing and singing parts. Throughout the year there are more songs added until they are performing the entire show and perfecting it. By the time they are back from Christmas break they are ready for competitions to begin. In most recent years they have performed in around five competitions a year, but the number has changed through the years. The booster club is the backbone of the Invitational, something it appears to have been from the start. The group, made up of parents of show choir students, helps the director in a variety of ways. From picking out costumes and stage sets for the performances each year to setting up and tearing down the stage and organizing the many aspects of the Invitational each year, there have been a number of booster parents who have given of
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Photo contributed Rick Toalson and Paul Clark were director and accompanist for many years. their time each of those 40 years. Recently I put out casual request on my own Facebook page and that of the Times-Republic, asking people to talk to me about their memories and experiences in show choir. Immediately I received calls, texts, Facebook messages and emails. One of the first of those was John Anderson, who now works at Iroquois Federal in Watseka. He was a member of the jazz band that played for the Sensations the first year, 1978. Anderson played trombone. “The jazz band played as entertainment,” he said, noting that in 1978, the group was called a swing choir, not show choir.
Congratulations Watseka Show Choir on your 40th Annual Invitational
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Watseka Sensations 40th Anniversary Show Choir Invitational
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“It was a lot of fun,” he said. Other schools brought their jazz bands along that year, he said, and they played as the entertainment while the choirs were getting ready to perform. He said the Watseka jazz band was “very, very good” with a lot of outstanding musicians. This first Invitational was at Glenn Raymond School in the gym. “I remember it clearly,” he said. Rick Toalson was the swing choir director, he said. Larry Littlefield was the director of music at the high school. “We didn’t have near the stage and presentations that we do now,” he said. “It was a very nice start. I’m very pleased to see how long its gone on. I’m happy the community supports it.” Other people from all eras of the 40 years soon began responding. I asked them when they were in show choir, what they enjoyed most about participating in show choir, what they took away from that time in their lives and how they use it today, and if they have a favorite story about being in show choir. Here are those stories: Tim Jenkins I was in show choir my Freshman, Junior and Senior year. 2006-07, 2008-09, 2009-10. My favorite part of show choir was the community. The friends that I made during show choir are still my friends today. The bonds that we made during those competition weekends, the families that supported each other, and the memories we share will last forever. If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a small city of mothers, fathers, families and friends to support a show choir. The Watseka Sensations show choir was my doorway into my performance career. I would go on to star in multiple musicals in college and the surrounding area for years after high school and then continue my performing career as a theater and film actor in Los Angeles, where I am currently. I can’t say that there was one defining moment that always sticks out because my time in Show Choir was a series of amazing moments: the early morning bus rides to competitions with friends; the late nights, waiting to hear your name at the award ceremonies. Hosting the Watseka Invitational was like the 4th of July to me. It was a holiday and something super special that I always looked forward to. Without show choir, I wouldn’t be where I am today. It gave me confidence to do more with my skills and push myself in areas I wouldn’t have otherwise looked to. I made friends that I still have today and will always have. I owe a lot to the Sensations, and I miss the time when I was a member. Sean Deneau “Show choir. I graduated from Donovan and Rick Toalson and Dr Paul Clark asked me to play drums. I ended up playing for four years. Feb. 19, 1994, I stepped off the bus in Sullivan
Photo contributed The Sensations made a trip to Opryland in Tennessee in 1986.
IL and was greeted by a frantic office staff. She handed me a note that read ‘ your wife is in labor’. I played a very uptempo show and caught a ride back with a parent. We made it to Watseka with 15 minutes to spare before Scot was born.” Sam Kingdon I was in JR high from ’01-’02 and HS from ’03-’06. Most of my friends were either in it with me or developed from being in it together. Many of them I still call friends today. I learned a lot of leadership skills while I served as dance captain my
Congratulations on 40 years of bringing musical entertainment to Watseka
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Photo contributed The 1993 Sensations performed in Fairfield, Indiana. junior and senior years. It taught me how to motivate people, how to persevere, how to adapt quickly to change, and how to work as a team, which have all been valuable lessons I’ve been able to draw on as an adult. My favorite part about show choir was hosting the invitational in Watseka. Watching the school transform over three days from a modest school building to a great performance venue was exciting. We all took so much pride in making those two days fun for everyone performing and everyone attending. My favorite story was my junior year while traveling to the Pekin invitational. 1/4 of the kids had the flu, including our soloist Zach Harris. We pulled it together enough to make the finals (including Zach throwing up in a trash can back stage between songs). Mrs. (Anna) Barnlund, director at the time, tried to tell us we were going home and skipping finals, but we told her there was no way we’d come this far together to skip it. I was very proud of our group that night. Chris Meredith I was in show choir ‘92 through ‘97 and started in junior high. My favorite part was how it felt like a family cheering each other on on solo competitions and building each other up. Discipline is what I took away - pushing yourself beyond even what you think is possible. One of my favorite memories was competing in Findlay, Ohio. Our mixed took first place and our girls group took second and we were all competing against bigger schools. That same competition the platforms separated at the top row where we had a move that lined up on the seam I ended up going down and was able to push off from the ground and keep going. Bruised my leg pretty good but in true show choir fashion no one reacted to the loud thud. I ended up getting a full scholarship in music at Findlay as part of their traveling quartet that I ended up not
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taking but it is one of my greatest memories. Tim Waters I’ve had the privilege of taking part in the invitational in many ways. I took part in the inaugural one when it was actually a jazz festival and included jazz bands. I also participated as a volunteer, a parent, a videographer and an emcee. In those forty years three things have never changed. The consistent level of talent on the stage has always been outstanding. The parents and volunteers, especially the stage crews, keep things organized and running on time . . . and as a past emcee I can tell you that is never easy when dealing with that many moving parts. Finally, and this is my favorite one . . . the energy. The energy in the room is electric and at times beats on the door of magical. You put that many young people in a room, all wanting if not needing to be there and you’ll get electricity. Bottom line, no matter how many in the last forty years I’ve attended the show
Photo contributed In the first few years, the group was a swing choir. This is the group and the jazz band from the first year of the Invitational. Looking forward to many more years of musical entertainment
Congratulations Watseka Show Choir Iroquois - Main office (815) 429-3337 Beaverville (815) 435-2036 Sheldon (815) 429-3331
Ashkum (815) 698-2346 Gilman (815) 265-4707 Watseka (815) 432-4198
www.iroqbank.com
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Watseka Sensations 40th Anniversary Show Choir Invitational
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Photos contributed Tira Clement provided some photos from when she was in show choir from 199093, including a picture of the sweatshirt the Sensations wore during that time.
choir invitational I’ve never left without a little more giddy up in my step, a song on my lips and a smile in my heart. If you’ve never been, you owe it to yourself to go. This year is as good as any to start. Tira Clement I was in show choir 1989 junior high choir where we did a Dr. Paul Clark original “Gonna Have A Party”. I was part if the Sensations ’90-’93 and part of the inaugural Sweet Sensations 1991. I loved show choir as it was both athletic and creative. I still sing perform and dance in local theater today I remember being a freshman and the atmosphere of the invitational. Dancing in the bleachers and connecting with other kids that shared my passion. I developed lifelong friendships with many if my teammates. I also can still perform some if our choreography as well as Sullivan High Schools choreography to The Final Countdown. Jill Mullikin-Deneau I am a former show choir girl from ’91 to ’93. I went to Donovan high school and was very happy that Donovan co-op’d with Watseka at that time. My best friend and I were in the mixed and
girls only groups. Practices were Monday and Tuesday nights. There were so many fun things about show choir. My friends were all there and I always loved dancing. Invitationals were always the best. Those days were soooo long but so much fun watching the other groups and meeting the members from other schools. I remember some of us would try to sleep on the floor of the bus on the way home. Performing at Opryland was a special treat. Something that always makes me smile about those days is how Mr. Toalson got nervous at invitationals and the tempo would get faster and faster.
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Some turns in the back row of the risers got a little scary! Another favorite memory is from the Watseka Invitational my senior year when we performed Shout. The entire gym was up on their feet and the energy was incredible. Stephanie Elliott Rippe My name is Stephanie Rippe, and I was in the WCHS show choir from ‘01-’04. I was also in the GRS singers from ‘98-‘99. My favorite part of show choir was definitely the competitions! Sure, you’d have to wake up before dawn sometimes, but the competitions made it worth it. Singing, dancing, hanging out with old friends and making new friend, what could be better? Something that I took from show choir that I still use today is confidence. Performing in front of a crowd takes courage. The stage presence I learned through show choir has carried over into my job as an educator everyday. To say I have one favorite memory is impossible, I have many! Being named student director my senior year was one of the greatest! Also having to hobble out on stage in a full leg cast my 8th grade year is a fond memory. But I’ll never forget the long practices, the early morning bus rides, sleeping in curlers so you’d have the perfect big hair, and the friends I made among the group. I loved my time as a Sensation! And I am glad our invitational has survived 40 years! With the arts being the first things cut out of schools, I am so glad our organization has had everlasting support! Jonica Conner Suver I was in show choir from 1986-88. It was one of the best memories I have of high school! The practices and competitions were always a great experience! One of my favorite memories was when our group went to compete at Opryland in Nashville TN in 1986. It was so much fun and I got to go with my sister Joelle and my dad was a chaperone. Now I get to be the chaperone with my three and love it. Show Choir has a special place in my heart and I love to see it continue. I learned how to be in front of a crowd which I use today when speaking to a group. I also still sing which is something that I have passed down to my kids. I can’t wait to be able to sing with them during the 40th Celebration number when any alumni can join in. The Invitational is a great event that brings so many visitors to our town and a great time for families. Megan Nykamp Megan was in show choir from 2001-2007. Show choir was filled with so many unforgettable moments, but my favorite part was the cohesiveness of our group and so whether we were practicing, traveling, or performing, we were making memories and having fun. (Granted, practices weren’t ALWAYS fun, but it was worth it!)
Photo contributed Joelle Conner Nelson and Jonica Conner Suver were members of the Watseka show choir when they were in high school.
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Photo contributed For a number of years Watseka Community High School had two show choir groups. Besides the Sensations, there was a girls group called the Sweet Sensations. The combo is also shown in this photo. I’m not sure it’s possible to choose one favorite story. So, here are a couple. 1) One year, the power went out while we were performing, and we continued to sing, so the sound of our voices alone resonated throughout the gym - it was beautiful. 2) The Watseka Invitational after Melissa James passed away, we dedicated our ballad to her - what a powerful moment and tribute to a vibrant young woman. 3) During practice, we were rehearsing a section with lifts. My dance partner, Matt Long, who should have had no trouble lifting me, dropped me on my head. It’s a fond memory now, not so much at the time. 4) During a Pekin Invitational, which also happened to be on my birthday, we made it to finals - what a great birthday! 5) Our English teacher and MC, Ben Gerhardt, rapping to Ice Ice Baby while we all (show choir and band) danced on stage - probably the best cover of Vanilla Ice ever done. Bailee Arseneau Bailee began her show choir career in junior high in 2008 and it lasted until she graduated in 2016. What I loved about show choir was the bond that I shared with the other members. Practices may have been long, hard, and grueling, but once we stepped on stage we became a family. We didn’t even have to speak to one another everyday at school to know that we always had each others backs. The people that I shared experiences with will never be forgotten, and many of them will be my lifelong friends. Everyone was always so supportive of one another no matter the circumstance. I’ll also never be able to put into words how much more confident show choir made me. High School years are some of the most important years for growing as an individual, especially for young girls. The pressure put on teenage girls is extremely harsh, and show choir helped boost my self esteem and confidence in ways that I cannot even explain. Stepping onto the stage left me with not a worry or a care in the world. I cannot fathom my high school experience without Show
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Choir and I am so happy that after 40 years our tradition is still going strong. Blair Hankey I was in show choir from 2013-14 to 2017-18. My favorite part was not only getting to do the one thing I love, to preform, but also being able to do that alongside my three high school best friends, and also all the friends you gain because everyone is like a huge family when it comes to show choir. Luckily, I got to take A LOT away from show choir, I taught junior high their show this past year so dealing with younger kids and also choreography, it helped me for my job now as a dance studio owner. My favorite story was my junior year, a bunch of us girls went to Walmart at 3 a.m. with curlers in our hair and played sardines. Show Choir taught me a lot about myself and what I was capable of doing since I was not only a dance captain, Photo contributed but also one of the choreographers for Porsha Patrick and Samantha Snyder participated in show choir when they were in junior high. It ultimately was a factor high school. The two have remained friends through the years. in why I chose the path I did for my career. I couldn’t imagine myself not performing and I encourage everyone to try it because it truly brings out a side of you, you didn’t even know you had. Samantha Snyder I started out in junior high show choir my 7th grade year, 2007, and stayed with it throughout high school until I graduated in 2012. My favorite part about show choir was being a family together and always being there for one another. I took my friendships and all the memories I had made over the years and talk about them with show choir friends. My favorite and most memorable part wad getting outstanding performer my senior year. Anna Barnlund My most memorable show choir moment was the first year I taught at Watseka and my first experience with a competitive show choir. I had NO idea what to expect and what I had gotten myself into! BUT I had GREAT seniors that first year! They literally led me by the hand and walked me through the competitions. Those young people played a very important role in our success. Our first competition that year was Danville. I had no idea what to expect and they just took command and helped me through the day. It was so scary, so overwhelming but oh so much fun! I was a nervous wreck and I loved every minute of it! I won’t share names but there were 14 seniors that year and everyone of them played an important role in preparing for competitions! Thank you to all of them! And they know exactly who there are! When auditions for show choir would come around, I would tell the students this: Where can you go, party all day and all night long, stay out way past curfew, make new friends from all over the midwest, NOT get in trouble with your parents and have a phenomenal time? SHOW CHOIR COMPETITIONS! (It is better than any drug or alcohol and it’s legal!) The sensation you feel when you are on that stage is indescribable natural high!!!
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File photo The Watseka Sensations of 2003 pose for a photo. One other memorable moment was the Pekin Competition my last year at Watseka. All the kids in show choir were sick. Several of them went to the competition anyway. They were throwing up on the bus to and from Pekin. One of the soloists couldn’t perform other than sing his solo. So he stayed backstage till it was time, stepped out and performed then left the stage. His mom stayed back stage to help him through the illness. When we finished performing, I told the students that we were too sick to stay regardless of whether we made finals or not!! The students went crazy and they would NOT leave!! Well, we made finals. And in the preliminary competition we were in 2nd place. These kids were so sick but they worked so hard that day!! I’ll never forget that competition. I was at Watseka from 2000-05. My greatest accomplishment was building the high school show choir to 52 strong! There were 22 boys and 30 girls in show choir when I retired. I loved my students at Watseka. I’m still very close to many of them to this day! I have so many great memories of my years in Watseka! Laura Carlson I was in the Glenn Raymond Singers both my 7th and 8th grade years of school. (2002-04) I then moved on to high school where I was in show choir all four years. (2004-08) I served as dance captain my junior and senior years. Music has always been an important part of my life. Growing up I had taken piano lessons and received voice instruction. Therefore, getting to be a part of something during the school day that revolved around music was a bonus. The friendships and connections I made throughout my time in show choir have been invaluable. Show choir was a family. We spent countless hours together every week and we were stronger as a group because of it. I still maintain many of those friendships with fellow choir members and even directors. Also my time as a dance captain began teaching me leadership skills that I use today in my own class-
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File photo The Sweet Sensations of 2001.
room. Unfortunately, I have way too many stories to choose just one. I would definitely say out of everything I was a part of in high school, show choir is what I miss the most. Kayla Kusman I was in show choir 2013-14. My favorite part was just the singing because I love to sing and I loved the bond between everyone. I was able to took away that hard work can be appreciated and seen if you put it in because my show choir director would make an effort to let others know when they were improving/doing well. I really loved show choir even though I was only in it for a year, I would tell people I had more fun than I ever did cheerleading and I did that for 12 years. It’s a great experience and I’d recommend it to anyone who just wants to be involved and meet new people. I made many friends coming out of it. Kole Bossong I was in show choir for 6 years. I graduated in 2007. I had some great times and learned a lot from many of the people we worked with. We always had a strong group that banded together to get stuff done. It’s a lot of work to do what we did. We made a ton of great memories. I have to say my sophomore year 2005 at Pekin was my favorite. We made finals and had an insider say we were placing high, we ended
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File photo The 2009 Watseka Sensations was made up of 10 male and 21 female performers.
File photo The Sensations of 2001 pose for a photo.
3rd. I had never been apart of a group that worked that hard that night. I’ll never forget it. Our invitational was always like no other. Tons and tons of work, but we always had the best time. Big thanks to everyone who helps make it possible. I’m sure it’s made many memories for everyone!
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The show choir season is short, but the students practice regularly throughout the year to perfect their show. Here the 2011 show choir performs in the practice room at Watseka Community High School. File photo
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Porsha Patrick contributed two photos. The top one is of the 2011 show choir as they perform. At right is Patric, center, with friends, Hannah Thomas and April Dreyer.
Photos contributed
Chris Meredith (top, left) provided this picture of the Sensations from when he participated.
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Photo contributed The Sixth Annual Watseka Swing Choir Invitational took place in March of 1984. It was still called the Swing Choir Invitational in 1990.
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Watseka Sensations 40th Anniversary Show Choir Invitational
Photos contributed (Above) The Watseka Sentations are ready to perform in the 20th annual show choir invitational.
(Left) The Sweet Sensations posed for this picture at the Watseka Show Choir Invitational in 1995.
March 2018