S&S High School junior Mckenzie Ridenour has had an extraordinary year, advancing to the State level in three very different activities: theatrical design, archery and choir solo and ensemble.
Ridenour was the only student from her school to advance to the State level for theatrical design in the Hair and Makeup category. Competitors were given a play, The King’s Stag, and a design prompt based on the wedding theme “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.” From there, they were tasked with creating and presenting a complete design concept.
In addition to a 750-word justification essay, Ridenour submitted a 250-word prompt summary, a mood board, a design map, a full-color rendering and a fully realized model photograph.
At the regional level, projects were submitted digitally. At State, however, competitors presented hard copies in person, delivered oral presentations and participated in walkthroughs with judges. Although her project did not place among the top finishers, she thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
“Everyone was very welcoming, and it was so fun to talk to other people who are as passionate about this as I am,” she said.
Although she did not earn a State medal in theatrical design, Ridenour was thrilled that her archery team qualified for the World competition for the first time in school history. Ultimately, the team decided to forgo the event and spend the coming year continuing to grow and prepare for competition at that level.
It was in solo and ensemble, however, where Ridenour truly shined.
She and her classmate, Addyson Russell, were the only students to advance to State from S&S High School. Both earned Superior I ratings, marking Ridenour’s highest achievement yet in vocal performance. While she did not qualify for the State Choir, she is proud of how far she has come.
“Each year I’ve been working my way up,” she said. “In theatrical design this year, my goal was simply to get to State. I didn’t place in the top six, so that’s my goal for next year. In solo and ensemble, my first goal was to get to State, which I did last year, but I earned a II. This year, my goal was to get to State and earn a I. Next year, my goal is to qualify for State Choir. It’s a slow progression of achievements, but I’m excited for this upcoming year.”
Ridenour is no stranger to hard work. Born severely deaf, she has spent her life proving that challenges do not define what she can accomplish.
“I live in a predominantly hearing community,” she said. “When people learn that I’m severely deaf, they question my quality of life. But I’ve shown people that I have a great quality of life. There’s not a lot I can’t do, and I like being in that position. I’m involved in a lot of things, and I’m fairly successful in all of them. I like to show people that through hardships and challenges, you can do anything.”
Ridenour and Russell spent months preparing for the solo and ensemble competition. This year, Ridenour elevated her preparation by working with vocal coach Sylvia Rivers of House of Rivers Studio in Sherman, the same coach Russell studies with.
Rivers offered the girls several solo selections in January. Russell chose the French piece Si Mes Vers Avaient des Ailes by Reynaldo Hahn, while Ridenour selected the German piece Als Luise die Briefe by Mozart.
“The only stipulation I had was that I didn’t want to sing in German,” Ridenour said with a laugh. “But when I heard the piece, I knew it was the right one for me. I loved it. It’s the best I’ve ever done.”
The song tells the story of a woman who receives love letters from her beloved, only to discover he has been writing to other women as well. In a fit of anger, she burns the letters.
“I get to act in the performance and it’s great for my range. It’s just so much fun to sing,” Ridenour said.
Learning the piece was especially challenging. Not only did she have to master German pronunciation, but her hearing loss added another layer of difficulty when grasping the nuances of the foreign language.
“My vocal coach and I were dying,” she said.
Once the solo was selected, Ridenour memorized the piece and worked with her piano accompanist, Timothy, to perfect it. She first performed for a judge who awarded her a Superior I rating, advancing her to the State competition. There, she performed before a higher-level judge. While either a I or II rating would earn a medal, Ridenour had spent the previous two years earning II ratings. This year, she achieved the coveted I.
“Ones are very difficult to achieve,” she said. “They take a lot of work and training.”
Judges evaluate everything from stage presence and vocal technique to pitch accuracy and musical interpretation. Some provide verbal feedback immediately after the performance, while others submit written critiques for students to review later.
“It’s all pretty subjective, but I’ve always had really nice judges,” Ridenour said.
Typically, Ridenour rehearses once a week. About six weeks before the State competition, however, she increased her lessons to twice weekly to focus on the smallest details.
“At the State competition, Addy and I were in the hotel room practicing in the mirror, making sure we were conveying the theme of the song,” she said.
This is only Ridenour’s third year in choir. S&S did not have a choir program until her freshman year, when Russell’s family moved to town and Russell’s mother became the high school choir director. Ridenour immediately dove in head-first.
She had been singing her entire life and attended regional camps before gaining formal choir experience. Since joining the program, she has embraced every opportunity available. This fall, she and Russell will begin their senior year at S&S High School.
For Ridenour, music is more than a hobby—it is a career path. She hopes to one day become a high school choir director and is excited to pursue a profession that allows her to use all of her musical talents. In addition to choir, she also plays flute in the high school band.
In reflecting on her success, Ridenour credits not only her parents, who instilled a strong work ethic, but also the mentors who have helped her along the way.
“My vocal coach Sylvia Rivers has produced some amazing singers. My archery coach Mr. Hensen is incredibly kind and patient. My theater teacher Mrs. Gibson really encourages us to lead, and our choir program wouldn’t be in the position we’re in without our director Mrs. Russell,” Ridenour said. “They’re really great people and I love all of them so much.”
With these accomplishments behind her, Ridenour is already looking ahead to her senior year.
“I’m ready to work harder than I ever have,” she said. “It’s going to be an exciting year.”
