To be state qualified for an event, a student can go through auditions, tournaments or games. Students can be state qualified for different school related activities. There are state tournaments for almost every event and activity that is partaken by students. Whether it be for forensics or debate; choir or orchestra, with enough work and dedication students can compete in the elite tournament.

“I’ve been qualified for the KMEA All-State Choir,” senior Brandon Davidson said. “It will be my 3^rd year, and I believe I will be the only senior from Hays High to be receiving that recognition.”

Davidson found out he had made KMEA All-State Choir, along with nine other students, back in January. One of these students was junior Rachelle Lumpkins. Lumpkins said when it comes to her resume, she feels the fact she has been state qualified has made her resume much more thorough.

“It’s fun to do and it’s a great experience,” Lumpkins said. “I want to be a music educator and it looks better if I made it to state in something music related.”

Lumpkins has also qualified for band and orchestra events.

“I also qualified for state solo and ensemble for my violin and clarinet,” Lumpkins said.

There are many activities that have the opportunity for students to be qualified. Students, like junior Tanner Callis, can get qualified for various activities they are involved in.

“For high school I have made it into state solo and ensemble freshman and sophomore year,” Callis said. “I made it into All-state orchestra my sophomore year, which is the earliest year of accepted entry and I also swam in a relay for sate swimming that went during my sophomore year.”

Other students, such as sophomore Madison Karlin, have been state qualified in non-musical related activities. Karlin was qualified for state debate for the first time due to it being her first year in open competition. According to Karlin, in order to qualify, a student must have at least 10 wins at tournaments.

“I was able to get enough wins to qualify this year,” Karlin said. “I’m really glad that I did because it’s a goal we work on throughout the whole semester.”

Students who get qualified often feel a sense of accomplishment since only a select few can attend a state celebration or tournament. Sophomore Erin Muirhead qualified for state solo and ensemble in her first year of high school. This year she, along with Davidson and Lumpkins, is qualified for KMEA All-State Choir.

“I think being qualified helps build confidence and passion,” Muirhead said. “I think it probably helps with resumes.”

Whether or not being eligible in an area of state qualification does help with students’ resumes isn’t completely known by students. One of the school counselors, Suellyn Strenger, helps clear this confusion up.

“Scholarship committees definitely take into consideration a student’s involvement in their school and community,” Strenger said. “Scholarship committees, universities and employers want to see students who give back to their schools.”

Others feel that being qualified isn’t necessary and isn’t helpful.

“It’s honestly not that big of a deal,” freshman Jonah Hill. “You should just enjoy what you’re doing and not worry about medals or awards.”

Many feel that the experience is what makes being qualified for state so special not the medals. Being able to spend time with people who also enjoy the same activities can be uplifting. Those who qualify for state often have to drive out of town and spend multiple hours with the others students qualified in that activity making it an opportunity to talk to some classmates more so then they do at school.

“Being qualified is something I’ve enjoyed doing during my high school years and will look back being proud of what I did,” Davidson said. “It’s so much fun sharing that pride with the other classmates who qualified.”

18agonzalez@usd489.com