Enterprise Choir Inspires

BY AMY DOMINELLO
Media General News Service

WASHINGTON – When the Enterprise High School Encores performed at the White House in April, they poked their heads around a corner, trying to catch a glimpse of President Bush.

The president, it turned out, was out of town. But this time, he couldn’t miss the Alabama choir.

The Encores, in red and blue fleeces, performed Thursday night at the ceremonial lighting of the National Christmas Tree in front of the White House and a crowd of thousands that included President Bush and first lady Laura Bush.

The show choir provided support vocals on holiday tunes for nationally-known singers, like John Secada, and performed their own solo.

More than a year after a tornado killed eight students and destroyed their school, Enterprise High School appears to have won the hearts of the Bush family. The president visited the community soon after the tornado, the Encores performed at the White House in the spring and the first lady gave the high school’s commencement speech in May.

School officials aren’t sure what role the first family had in selecting the Encores in August to perform at the tree lighting, but students say the Bush family’s interest in them has been important to the Enterprise community’s healing process.

“It’s a really good feeling to know that our president doesn’t just look at the big cities,” said senior Lukas McMann, 17. “He can also pay attention to our small cities.”

From the tornado’s damage and the loss of their classmates, the students have faced challenges far beyond what typical teenagers experience, Principal Rick Rainer said. Three of the students who were killed were members of the choir.

“These kids,” said. “They’ve been through a lot.”

Bush took notice of the choir before lighting the tree.

“We especially welcome the folks from Enterprise, Ala.,” he said. “And we thank the school choir for showing the determination and grit of some really fine people.”

Enterprise High School classes are currently held in a community college. The new high school under construction is to open in time for the 2010 school year.

On Thursday, 76 younger members of the Encores performed in the East Room of the White House. Forty-four other students, mostly seniors, performed on the outdoor stage at Thursday night’s tree lighting.

The students were honored to participate in the ceremony, said choir director John Baker. The choir has traveled across the nation for performances. Their selection to perform at the tree lighting has meant lots of practice during class and sometimes after school.

“This is something we always wanted to do,” he said.

Students were shocked when they learned the school was selected to participate after performing at the White House in April.

“It shows that people might actually be inspired by us and know where Enterprise is and that people care,” said senior Danielle Warganich, 17.

Baker said it didn’t sink in for him or his students just how big a production the tree lighting was until they were on stage.

“I was just taking it all in, trying to make memories and telling the kids the same thing,” he said.

Daley Kappenman, 16, was elated after the performance and shook President Bush’s hand afterward. After performing in the White House and now at the tree lighting, it’s hard for her to imagine what’s next for the Encores.

“I don’t think you could top it,” she said.

More than 50 parents and family members also made the trip. Sabine Kutschat, whose 17-year-old daughter Katie is an Encores member, said the tree lighting ceremony is a positive experience that’s developed from so much heartache.

“It’s an awesome opportunity to get some exposure to things,” said Kutschat, who is also a secretary at the school. “… Something like this would not have happened without the great loss that they suffered.”
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More on the Web: thenationaltree.org