Albertville Fine Arts Building

Well, as most of you know Andrew and I were on the mainland for a little longer than expected.  Drew had training on the Big Island in January, so we stuck around for a few weeks after Christmas.  Those few weeks turned in to a MONTH.  We were waiting on a military flight to get us back to Hawaii.  Memphis cancelled all their flights to Hawaii in January and had their first one back scheduled for February 3.  On the 2nd, just before hitting the road, I called and yep...it was cancelled.  But getting delayed an extra week allowed me to go to the very first EVER show choir competition hosted by Albertville High School.  It was a huge success.  There were 29 groups there from 5 different states!
For those of you who don't know, AHS is undergoing a HUGE renovation/re-building.  They're getting an all new school, which includes the amazing Fine Arts Center.  (I have to admit that I'm a little jealous that we didn't have something like this)  It's beautiful.  It was my first time to see it and it was a little surreal.  I had to keep reminding myself that I was in ALBERTVILLE!  Here's what the stage looked like for the awards ceremony.

I got to see so many people; my old choir director and his wife, several of my old show choir buddies, and even some of the current chow choir kids that I've known pretty much their whole lives.  It was great.  I got to see Will Casey.  He and I were in show choir together.  (If I were still in Albertville I'd have to put the video of of us at the Opelika Show choir competition in '97, dancing the tango outside of a Shoney's) ...we were CRAZY)  But I'm in Hawaii and don't have the tape on hand, so this picture of us 12 years later will have to do!

Here's a random shot of my favorite costumes of the day.  This group is from South Jones High School in Ellisville, MS.

But the biggest surprise and possibly the best part of my very long day, was watching Opelika High School perform.  I used to teach dance there in college and I recognized some faces on stage.  Turns out two of my little girls are all grown up now and in show choir.  Rachel and Mary Carlton were in my dance class from Kindergarten to 5th grade.  Last time I saw them...they were 10!

It was such a surprise to see them and an even bigger surprise that they remembered me! (By the way...they won the competition) :)

I'm so proud of Albertville and all that they've accomplished.  The new building is gorgeous and I wish them all the luck in the world!