Mrs. Jennifer Ault's high school choirs put on a lively show Saturday night with the second-year-return of the Crusader Escapades (an event brought back from the early 2000s).  The all-Disney-themed program kicked off with a medley of Lion King songs which included an adorable cameo by Ault's son Denver as Simba the lion cub during "The Circle of Life."  Subsequent song selections were from a variety of other Disney properties such as Mulan, Tangled, Princess and the Frog, Camp Rock, Beauty and the Beast, Pocahontas, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, Encanto, Hercules, Coco, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty.  During and after the penultimate performance of "Remember Me"  by the seniors, Mrs. Ault and the rest of the choir paid tribute to the five departing seniors: Liz Reitz, Alexis Hearlson, Donovan Kreifels, Braeden Bevan, and Kayla Reynolds.  Ault took a moment to review the accolades earned over the year at contests and to award seniors Liz Reitz and Braeden Bevan with the National School Choral Award, which was an honor voted on and bestowed by their peers in choir.  Ault also thanked many individuals for their contributions to the Escapades, including Mr. Todd Larkey who was managing backstage, Erik Roberts on lights, Brad Ewing for lights and sound, and accompanists Amy Zogleman and Lynn Jenkins.  

The only departure from the house of mouse came with the final song, "Let it Be" by the Beatles, which the choir sang in memory of Steve Sturgis, an encore performance of the rendition they sang for Sturgis' memorial service held at the high school on February 20.  During the hit single, Brad Ewing on lights had a laser light image of Steve's likeness projecting on the ceiling.  

The choir sounded great, everyone was so expressive and engaged, and the program was entertaining from start to finish!  One final note: The kids always put on a great show to listen to and the costume changes are a nice added touch, but Brad Ewing's expertise with lights always raises the level of immersion and makes school productions like these so vibrant and colorful to photograph!  Thank you, Brad Ewing, for sharing your talents!  

The full program was as follows:

ACT I

Lion King Medley - All Cast

WHen WIll My Life Begin - Carley Hamilton

Reflection - Alexis Hearlson

Waiting on a Miracle - Kateryna Kuzmenko

Colors of the Wind - Crusader Singers

Wondering - Shyla Wyckoff

Someday My Prince Will Come/A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes - Sopranos & Altos

Gotta Find You - Hunter Lough 

-Intermission-

ACT II

I Won't Say I'm in Love - Kyra Cornejo

Almost There - Anna McMinn

Beauty and the Beast - Concert Choir

I See the Light - John Summers & Breegan Bevan

I'll Make a Man Out of You - Tenors & Basses

Remember Me - Seniors

Senior Recognition

Let it Be - All Cast (In Memory of Steve Sturgis

View the over 1000 photos taken by Laney Dillon, Karizma Zavala, and WHS Yearbook Staff here: CRUSADER ESCAPADES 043022