The 2024-2025 school year is coming to an end, and for most seniors, May means graduation. For 12th graders in choir, however, it means leaving something behind that they love. I asked five seniors to share about their experience in the choir program. Here are their stories.

Xan Stranges

Xan Stranges joined choir in seventh grade. Now, years later, she is part of Symphonic Choir.
“[I joined] mostly because my friends were in it. But then all my friends left,” Stranges said, smiling. “I still stayed [though,] so I made more friends.”
Xan said that through choir she has learned, among many things, discipline. She credits it to Dr. Dara Gillis, the choir director.
“[Dr. Gillis is] very hard on us, but it’s not because she hates us. It’s because she wants to push us and she wants us to do the best we can,” Stranges said. “I feel like she [taught] me that I have to work hard to get far and sometimes if I don’t feel like giving it 100% I [know I] can still try.”
Xan said she loves the family aspect of choir.
“I’ve met a lot of great people here, people that I’ll probably be in touch with for the rest of my life,” Stranges said.
Xan’s favorite memories of choir are from the bus rides to and from District and State contests.
Outside of choir, she is part of Hayes Thespians, Scouts BSA, and plays piano.
After high school, Xan plans to study nutrition and early childhood education at Columbus State and then transfer to Ohio University after one year.

Pickle Pipher

Pickle Pipher joined choir in seventh grade–against his will.
“I said ‘I hated it,’ I said ‘I’m not gonna do it.’ My mom was like, ‘You’re doing choir.’ She signed me up when I left my paper unattended and then, yeah, I ended up liking it,” Pipher said laughing.
He mainly resisted because back in middle school he thought choir was “stupid.”
“I was afraid about getting made fun of,” Pipher remembers. “Then I found out it was a cool environment.”
Pickle said he loves the community that choir brings him.
“It’s just so crazy to see where we are at the end of the year [when we’re] super close with each other,” Pipher said.
His favorite memory of choir was when Hayes Singers and Glee Club went to visit Ohio State University this past fall.
“It was really cool to see some of the alumni that go [to OSU] and we got to talk about it and really see what they are doing now,” Pipher said.
Pickle now is part of Symphonic Choir, Hayes Singers, and Glee Club, as well as an active member of the band and Hayes Thespians.
His parting message is: “Don’t be afraid to join choir.”
After high school, Pickle plans to study music education at Bowling Green State University.

Mavis Roach

Mavis Roach said they’ve been singing forever, but officially joined choir in sixth grade.
“I’ve honestly just always loved singing so much since I was just a little kid and I was like, ‘Oh I get to do it for fun, like as a class,’ that’s so exciting,” Roach said.
Mavis is part of Symphonic Choir and is vice president of Hayes Singers this year.
“I feel like I wouldn’t be a person without singing,” Roach remarked.
Their favorite memory from choir is when Hayes Singers went to sing for the Dempsey Middle School choirs this past year.
“All of the kids that I talked to were just so excited to be in the [choir] program and it made me so happy to be a role model [for them],” Roach said.
Outside of choir, Mavis is President of Hayes Thespians and takes part in Tri-M.
After high school, Mavis plans to study musical theatre at Bowling Green State University.

Orion Kapp

Orion Kapp joined choir in sixth grade.
Orion said he loves choir for the bond it creates between the group.
“I love that connection and I feel the power from it,” Kapp said. “I feel better from it.”
Orion is in Symphonic Choir, Glee Club and is president of Hayes Singers. His favorite memory is going on a trip to Chicago his sophomore year.

“[It was amazing,] getting to sing with these amazing people,” Kapp said.
Orion said that his experience through the choir program impacted what he wants to do with his life.
“If I didn’t have such supportive and loving teachers [during] high school, I don’t think I would ever want to be a part of music, but now I do,” Kapp said.
Outside of choir, he is involved in Hayes Thespians and plays trumpet in Symphonic band.
After high school, Orion plans to study theatre for one year and then musical theatre for the rest of his time at Bowling Green State University.

Carissa Matson

Carissa Matson said she’s been singing for as long as she can remember and joined choir in sixth grade.
“I have always been surrounded by [a family of musicians] and I just like singing,” Matson said.
Carissa sings in Hayes Singers, is a peer tutor in Concert Choir and is president of Symphonic Choir. She said she loves choir because of how special it is.
“[In] band and orchestra, [you] play an instrument, but with choir, your voice is your instrument,” Matson noted. “It’s cool because [your voice is] just something that is always part of you… I think that makes it really powerful.”
Carissa’s favorite memory was from when she went to Chicago with Symphonic Choir her sophomore year. On the trip they went to a museum where they started singing a song they learned that year.
“[At the museum] there was a room called the Whisper Room… the acoustics were super cool,” Matson said. “So we thought, ‘What if we sing here?’ And we started singing the first part of that song. It was the most magical thing that I have ever done.”
Carissa said the biggest thing she has learned from choir is the importance of hard work and integrity.

“Choir is a team sport, you have to show up every day and be ready to do your best,” Matson added. “I have personally gained some incredibly valuable leadership skills through the program.”
After high school, Carissa plans to attend the Conservatory of Music at Capital University as a vocal music education major. She credits Dr. Gillis’ personal impact on her as to why she is pursuing music.

Overall, this year’s seniors are moving toward their future. However, the lasting impact of Hayes choirs means they will never forget the harmony of their last four years here.