At the Board of Education Meeting on Monday, May 5, a total of 14 students from Lexington Trails Middle School were recognized in the area of Fine Arts, for both choir and band. Each student received a certificate of achievement from the Board of Education.

Two students from LTMS were selected as part of this year’s Kansas Choral Directors Association (KCDA) Treble Honor Choir. The Treble Honor Choir is comprised of students grades 5-9 with unchanged voices. Auditions are accepted in October each year, and those selected perform with the ensemble at the Kansas Music Educators Association In-Service Workshop.

On the instrumental side, Lexington Trails participates in the Kansas John Philip Sousa Junior Honor Band and had twelve students selected for this year's ensemble. The Sousa Honor Band was specifically created to provide opportunities for students in middle school or junior high to further develop their musical and performance skills. Additionally, students participate in special instrumental clinics, rehearsals and performances. Honor Band weekend was held January 24 and 25 at the Lied Center at the University of Kansas.

These music competitions could be considered the performing arts versions of State Titles. Students are selected via a rigorous audition process which starts at the district level with additional opportunities to perform with their peers across the state in group performances. These student musicians are truly among the best for their age group in the State of Kansas.

Due to the number of USD 232 students with All-State designations, student recognitions were divided over two Board of Education meetings. Last month, we recognized students from De Soto High School, Mill Valley High School, and Mill Creek Middle School.

Congratulations to these middle-school musicians!

• Morena DeKeijzer, KCDA Treble Honor Choir
• Emily Gill, KCDA Treble Honor Choir
• Rachel Tyrer, All-State Middle Level Band
• Olivia Lavendusky, All-State Middle Level Band
• Kahleigh Siebert,  All-State Middle Level Band
• Lily Wollum,  All-State Middle Level Band
• Owen Anderson,  All-State Middle Level Band
• Hunter Crane,  All-State Middle Level Band
• Noah Vogt,  All-State Middle Level Band
• Reese Gaultney, All-State Middle Level Band
• James Kountzman,  All-State Middle Level Band
• Mia Ross, All-State Middle Level Band
• Walker Powers, All-State Middle Level Band
• Brookson Cotton, All-State Middle Level Band