Watch This: Ankeny's Visual Adrenaline Performs at FAME Show Choir Nationals in Orlando

From an Ankeny school district media release:

WATCH: Visual Adrenaline Performs at FAME Show Choir Nationals in Orlando

The Ankeny High School choir room may need a bigger shelf to hold its newest trophy.

Vocal music students earned the impressive piece of hardware when Visual Adrenaline, Ankeny High School's varsity show choir, was named the best of nine choirs from eight states in the mixed show choir division of the FAME Orlando national show choir competition on March 16.  Among the competition, Visual Adrenaline went up against were choirs from Massachusetts, California, Virginia, Tennessee, Texas, Nebraska, Iowa and Indiana.

"We are so proud of our students and hope that this title illustrates what dedication and hard work can accomplish when students work together," said Ankeny Activities Director Kevin Biggs. "Our directors also deserve a great deal of credit for building this program into one of the nation’s best.  Every time I see this group perform I am moved beyond belief.  The talent in our choirs is awesome."

During the event, which was held at the Hard Rock Live Theater in Orlando, Florida, Ankeny was one of only four choirs to win a spot in the final round after an exhausting round of daytime preliminary performances.  Although tired from travel and performing, the students gave their final performance everything they had and put on one of their best shows of the season.  

The judges rewarded their outstanding effort with Visual awards for Best Choreography, Best Vocals, and ultimately, Grand Champion.  Ankeny senior Brandon Boelts also won Best Male Performer.  According to senior soloist Kelsey Arneson, “There’s just no better feeling than succeeding in the one thing you love with every piece of your heart.  This means the world to me.” 

Boelts and Arneson represented the choir during the awards ceremony, accepting the very large trophy on stage, but were quickly joined by a swarm of celebrating choir, band and crew members who made it all possible.   Despite great success over the years, Visual Adrenaline had never achieved Grand Champion status at a FAME national qualifying competition, making this their first.  

For more information, contact Lester Ray Miller, III at lester.miller@ankenyschools.org.