Briarcliff MS's National Honor Choir Participants

Names, Grades: Blake Elwood (Grade 8); Maddy Albert, Mary Donoghue and Caroline Pennacchio (Grade 7); Jillian Agona, Melissa Goldberg, Kelly Hooper and Jessica Steinberg (Grade 6)

School:

Accomplishment: The eight middle schoolers were chosen to audition to sing with the National Honor Choirs at the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) Convention. Held in Chicago from March 9-12, the vocalists performed as part of the Children's Honor Choir.

Key to Awesomeness: According to the ACDA's website, the nonprofit's purpose is to "promote excellence in choral music through performance, composition, publication, research, and teaching. In addition, ACDA strives through arts advocacy to elevate choral music's position in American society."

Said Wilma Messenger, the students' chorus teacher, “Every year I prepare students for their ACDA audition. Usually one or two are selected. This year eight of my Briarcliff students were chosen. I am absolutely thrilled!”

Do you know a kid, teen or group who has raised money for charity, scored the winning goal at the big game or regularly helps out in the community? We want to hear about it! Send your nominations for individuals, teams or groups of kids to sarah.studley@patch.com and they could be featured in an upcoming Whiz Kid column.