MUSIC TO OUR EARS: Congratulations to Southland College Prep’s three Choir Ensembles and to soloist Acacia Morton, who were named "Best Performances of the Day" at the 2025 IHSA competition last Saturday at Bloom Trail High School. What a great honor! 

The Southland Choir had seven soloists receive Division 1 distinctions, and all three chorale ensembles—male, mixed, and female—performed excellently. Additionally, soloists Acacia Morton and Janelle McClinton— both seniors, received perfect scores. 

The competition day was long and hectic, as several of our ensemble members and soloists were also involved in various special events and activities that day, including senior pictures and track meets. Our students planned and adjusted their schedules to meet and exceed all expectations. Please find the list of all the students who competed below.

Spectacular job, Southland Choir! You all make us incredibly #SouthlandProud!!!

Division 1 Soloist - Superior score

Student.                       Voice type.         Song.                                    

Corey Ballenger          Tenor                  “Make Them Hear You”     

Janelle McClinton.      Soprano.           “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”

LaNail Griffin.              Countertenor    “Caro Mio Ben” 

Morgan Smith.            Soprano.           “O Mio Babbino Caro” 

Angelique Hall.            Soprano.            “Sometimes I Feel like a Motherless Child”

Damien Hyde.              Baritone.            “Balm in Gilead”

Acacia Morton.            Soprano.            “I Dreamed a Dream” 

Division 1 Ensembles - Superior score 

Male Ensemble       …………………………….    “Everytime I Feel the Spirit” accapella 

Students 

Oluwatobi Alaran, LaNail Griffin, Majin Gibson, Makai Cole, Jeremiah Green, 

Keith Alexander, Rashad Hyde, Corey Ballenger, Christian Benson, Matthew Moore, Joel Easley, Jeremiah Matthews, Angelo Pinero, Prysen Feaster, Shawn Stuckey Clark, Gabriel Jones, Damien Hyde

Mixed Ensemble.   ……………………………….     “Fair Phyllis I Saw” accapella

Students

Brielle Syas, Leslie Hernandez, Morgan Smith, Angelique Hall,

Acacia Morton, Aniyah King, Charity Phillips, Corey Ballenger, Christian Benson, Aaron Black, Keith Williams, Mathew Moore, Jeremiah Matthews, Damien Hyde, Shawn Stuckey Clark, Rayniyah Davis, Kennedy Lewis, Elizabeth Hoskins, Oluwatobi Alaran, Angelo Pinero, Gabriel Jones, Rashad Hyde, Tiana Dejournette, Aniya Banks, 

Girls Ensemble.  ………………………………….     “Welcome Sweet Pleasure” accapella 

Students

Acacia Morton, Angelique Hall, Charity Phillips, A’layah Henry, Tiana DeJournette, Elizabeth Hoskins, Gift Emiko, Kennedy Lewis, Leslie Hernandez, Morgan Smith, Aniyah King, Aniya Banks, Raniyah Davis, Jea Nai Malone - Day 

Division 2 Soloist - Excellent score

Student.                        Voice Type        Song

Shawn Stuckey Clark   Bass                  “Old Man River”