During a late March trip to Anaheim, Harker vocal groups Festival Chorus and Capriccio received honors in their respective divisions at the WorldStrides Anaheim Heritage Festival. Capriccio, directed by Susan Nace, was awarded a gold distinction in the Chamber Choir category for their performance, while Festival Chorus, directed by Jennifer Sandusky, received silver in the Regular Choral category. Junior and Capriccio member Carissa Wu received special recognition as one of two students (out of 2,000) to receive the Disney Stand Strong Award for stepping in as what Nace called “the de facto director” while Nace was away to attend to a personal matter, guiding rehearsals and making sure no momentum was lost.

“She earned the trust of her peers and worked diligently with them,” Nace said. “She cared deeply not just about the music but about the ensemble’s esprit de corps.”