On March 10, 2026, the Stroudsburg High School Choir held its annual March concert in the high school auditorium.
The theme this year was “Be the Light,” where they featured songs, Lumen (Receive the light) by Abbie Betinis, Stand Up from the movie Harriet by Cynthia Erivo, Stardust by B.E. Boykin, Total Praise by Richard Smallwood, and lastly, Es Tu Tiempo by Francisco J. Nuñez.
All of these songs portrayed reaching for or being the light. They symbolized hope, perseverance, and the pursuit of that light.
Many of these songs featured soloists and speakers.
At the beginning of the concert, the choir council president, Kathleen Carpio, 26’, introduced the choir, welcomed the audience, and reminded everyone of concert etiquette. Then, Mikaela Lipitz, 26’, and A’niya Jones-Garrison, 27’, introduced the song “Lumen,” after which the choir walked into the auditorium with lanterns that represented the light we were reaching for.
Next, Brandon Daniel, 27’, and Laila Askins, 28’, introduced Stand Up. They discussed Harriet Tubman, who was a beacon of hope for enslaved people and a key figure in the Underground Railroad. The choir then went back onto the stage, clapping and stomping to the beat. This song featured soloists Andrew Polanco Then and Crislly Anne Bay.
Then, Jordyn Lippin-Worelds, 26’, Andrew Polanco Then, 26’, Harmony Ufondu, 28’, and Jaymie Lippin-Joseph, 27’, introduced the song Stardust. They discussed how the composer is calling us to shine our light on injustice and to use our light for good. They also talked about how the composer wrote this song in memory of the victims of the Mother Emmanuel shooting in 2015.
Next, Laila Carroll, 26’, Solomon McEaddey, 27’, Jacob Pusey, 27’, and Jonathan Pusey, 27’, introduced the song Total Praise, which the choir also sang at the Cultural Assembly. Laila Carroll started by introducing herself and the NAACP. She then discussed why she chose this song to perform and how it connected to the theme. Solomon followed up to discuss the composer, Richard Smallwood, and the impact of his music. Jacob and Jonathan Pusey then read verses from the song.
Then, Maddy Morales, 26’, Madison Parton, 27’, and Tuanna Reid, 26’, went to the front of the stage and had the audience join the choir in a sing-along to the song “This Little Light of Mine.”
Lastly, Baylee Cubberly-Frazette, 26’, and Villeroy Favour Nsanyui, 26’, introduced the final piece, Es Tu Tiempo, meaning “It’s Your Time”. They discussed the composer and how it conveys a message of hope from graduating seniors to underclassmen. Then, they introduced soloists Madison Parton and Crista Kopec, 26’, starting the piece, and descant soloists Ryo Alanya, 26’, Karen Chapman, 27’, Sophia Pandolfo, 26’, Madison Parton, Julia Sobrinski, 26’, and Niyah Ward, 28’, during the middle of the song.
After the final piece, the audience cheered, and the choir stood there proudly, then walked back to the choir room to celebrate.