This year, Parkway South high is home to two all-state singers: seniors Logan Huff and Alex Franklin. 

Huff and Franklin are just two of the three Parkway singers to make Missouri’s all-state choir this year, and they made their mark on the judges. 

Both Franklin and Huff were surprised to hear the news, but those around them expected it. 

Choir teacher Taylor Hawkins said “These students are better readers, performers, and musicians than just about anyone else in the state and they are put on display for their musical expertise. This is an honor very few people get to have bestowed upon them (especially in our area due to the incredibly difficult competition) and they all deserve it, hands down.” 

The process of making state can be exhausting, and terrifying for a student, with the amount of pressure they feel. 

Huff says “Everybody who walks out of the room is like,”Oh my god.” Cause like, you can’t hear what you sound like cause you’re so nervous. You just can’t listen to yourself. It’s crazy.” 

Franklin says “I came out of it thinking of everything that went wrong instead of everything that I did well,and I was so focused on, like, the fact that it’s really difficult to get into state, just in general. And I was like, oh, well, I did this wrong and I did this wrong, and I’m definitely not gonna get in. Cause if I tell myself I’m not gonna get in, it’s easier if I actually don’t get in.”

Along with Alex and Logan, senior Molly Santeford also made it in as an honorable mention.

“I didn’t think I’d make it into All Suburban, honestly. So making it into the all-state qualifying was really cool in itself. Since then some people have dropped,so I’m now an alternate.” said Santeford. 

South had 4 all-state qualifiers after All Suburban, thanks to the hard work of Hawkins.

“Students need to prepare a 1 minute solo aria and sight sing for judges with which they’re given a score. We practiced this daily in our classroom and worked on strategies for best success.” Says Hawkins. 

Since all qualifiers were seniors, this is one of their final chances to perform during their high school careers, and looking back; they are grateful for their time at South. 

“Choir has helped me find my passion, and it’s helped me find what I want to do in college and in my future. I want to be a music educator, and without the choir program, you know, because I didn’t always want to do choir, then I probably wouldn’t have done it” says Huff

Missouri’s all-state performance is Jan. 31, and Huff and Franklin are prepared to put on a wonderful show.           

“I think I’m most excited to hear everyone finally come together and just be super excited and just as willing to learn how to sing well with the other state singers as I am, but I’m also super excited to sing all the music and just see how it all comes together,” says Franklin.