Spring Musical 2009 

      Owyhee Combined School held a festive Spring Music Concert this week, directed by Mike Polise, Music Director.  Freshman, Racheal Thacker, and sophomore, Krista Sope, have been learning to play the piano and performed a beautiful duet.  Another sophomore, Danica Williams, is learning to play and performed a terrific piano solo.

      The Hot Shot Singers--kindergarten, first and second grades, began by singing uplifting songs, ending with “This Little Light of Mine”.  They then paid homage to the military, accompanied by the Owyhee Outrageous All-Star Band, and marched with special guests, Lloyd Hanks and Lester Shaw, Jr., Marine and Army veterans.

      Then the Star Singers--third, fourth, fifth and sixth grades accompanied by the band, started out with “The Star Spangled Banner”, the school fight song, two songs from High School Musical and “The Hey Song” song using the Shoshone word “Zah” (meaning good) in place of “Hey”.  They gave tribute to songs from the 50’s and 60’s, ending with “Tomahawk”, a song with Shoshone words sprinkled in.

      Fourth grader Ricky Baker, joined by guest guitarists Delmar Kelly, Eugene Camas and Adrian Liebenau, performed a medley of songs on their guitars.  They continued to play with the band for the remainder of the program.

      Seventh grader Graciela Maya-Joseph gave a beautiful rendition of the Abba hit “Super Trouper”. Polise said, “The song is dedicated to all the people of the Owyhee area who strive in their best way to reach for lofty goals.  We honor the athletes, academic achievers, teachers and staff, the ‘aunties’, the moms, the dads, and the grandparents and the rich native culture and legend.”

      The Star Singers and the band finished the set with three more songs.  “Happy Trails to You”, as recorded by Roy Rogers and Dale Evans in 1951, was the finale.  The audience was invited to sing along with the four featured singers, fourth graders Dayani Manning and Jade Roubideaux, fifth grader Cydney Manning and sixth grader, Lacy King.

      Polise acknowledged Marge Puella, Shoshone Teacher; Charlotte Polise, for Wall and Stage Décor; Becky Hilderbrand, for the program design; and everyone for their support and attendance at the Spring Musical 2009.