St. Ursula Academy vocalists shine at two competitions

The St. Ursula Academy Vocal Ensemble (SUAVE) broke its own record as a group with seven trophies merited at the “Music Showcase Festivals” competition on May 5 at Lebanon High School. In addition, SUAVE is the recipient of the Grand Sweepstakes Award, which is awarded to the highest scoring ensemble from all of the festivals held at Lebanon High School for Kings Island “Music Showcase Festivals.”  

The awards received by the vocalists included 1^st Place Trophy in the High School Show Choir Category, the rating of “Superior”, the Outstanding Section Trophy for the Low Alto Section (Sara Fletcher, Bridgid Gallagher, and Mary Platz); the Outstanding Soloist Trophy to Kristen Duffy, Paige Rinehart, Leah Bobbey, and Jessica Waddle; and the Overall High School Choral Trophy for having scored the highest number of points of all high school ensembles performing in the competition.

SUAVE also competed in the “Music Showcase Festivals” on May 19 in Louisville, Ky., where they were awarded the 1st Place Trophy in the High School Show Choir Category, a rating of “Superior”, and the Overall High School Choral Award. The

Outstanding Soloist was awarded to Leah Bobbey, Kristen Duffy, Paige Rinehart, and Jessica Waddle. 

Says SUA Music Director Kathy Backherms, "SUAVE performed consistently at both competitions, meriting the top awards as well as positive comments from all of the judges."

St. Ursula Academy is a Catholic, college-preparatory, secondary school for young women.  In 2002 the academy was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School. The campus, located at 1339 E. McMillan Street in East Walnut Hills has been the home of St. Ursula Academy and Convent since 1910.