RUMFORD — An Evening of Excellence is a year-end tradition at Mountain Valley High School. After the festivities of graduation, the underclassmen are honored for their accomplishments in the classroom.

This year’s celebration took on a different twist. It was held outdoors on the front porch of the school. The Evening of Excellence was combined with the annual spring concert and included a barbecue and raffle to raise money for the music program.

The chorus sang, awards were announced, the band played and more awards were announced. The musical interludes provided a welcomed break between the myriad of awards, including academic letter awards, perfect attendance, classroom awards, class officer awards and many more.

Principal Matt Gilbert said, “I was very proud of our music department and their teacher, Mr. Prescott. Faced with an adverse situation, they thought outside of the box to identify a new musical venue. He created a stage for MVHS to celebrate student success and the accomplishments of the students in the music program.”

The chorus sang “Band on the Run,” “Taps,” “Peg O’My Heart,” and “Waiting in Vain” and “Could You be Loved.” The band played “All of Me,” “Up From the South” and “Soulful Strut.”

At the conclusion of the awards program, individuals and small groups performed a wide variety of selections. Natasha Munzer sang “The Only Exception” by Paramore. Sage Taylor wrote and performed “The Night the River Froze Over.” Andrea Kehrer performed “Warrior” by Demi Lovato with Nadia Tag and Sage Taylor.

Alicia White with Kelli Trenoweth sang “Never Grow Up” by Taylor Swift. “Pretty Hurts” by Beyonce Knowles was performed by Nadia Tag and Mackenzie Gonzalez with Sage Taylor. Shannon Santillo and Abigail LaBrash presented “Almost Lover” by A Fine Frenzy.

Adelle Oswald and JT Greene performed “Volcano” by Damien Rice. Leah Perry with Kaleb Gatchell and JT Greene sang “Sleepwalking” by Bring Me the Horizon.

To learn more about the MVHS music department, check out mprescot1.wix.com/mvhsmusic.