WICHITA, KS — The stage lights at Century II were a little brighter this past February as two of our very own represented Challenger Intermediate on one of the state's most prestigious musical stages.
We are bursting with pride to announce that Jaci Correll and Taylor Wyeth were selected for the 2026 Kansas Music Educators Association (KMEA) All-State Elementary Choir. In a historic first for our school, these talented young musicians proved that Challenger's music program is hitting all the right notes.
A "Top 100" Achievement
The road to the All-State Choir is no easy feat. Jaci and Taylor submitted recorded auditions, competing against nearly 900 students from across the entire state of Kansas.
The selection process was incredibly rigorous:
Total Auditions: ~900 students
Total Selected: 180 singers
The Stat: Only about 11% of auditioning students were chosen.
Extraordinarily, Jaci and Taylor were recognized among the top 100 musicians in the state for their age group. Having two students from Challenger Intermediate selected in our very first year of eligibility is a remarkable testament to their hard work and the soaring quality of our musical foundation.
The Big Day: Rehearsals and Performance
On February 26, 2026, the girls traveled to the Century II Concert Hall in Wichita for a day of intensive rehearsals. They performed under the baton of guest conductor Magdalena Delgado, a native of Santo Domingo who currently directs United Voices Chicago in Illinois.
Under Ms. Delgado’s expert direction, the choir mastered a diverse and challenging repertoire, performing beautiful arrangements in three different languages:
English
Bulgarian
Spanish
The day culminated in an outstanding public performance that captivated the audience and showcased the incredible vocal discipline of these young stars. The fact that two of these students call Challenger Intermediate home is a testament to their dedication, hard work, and the incredible musical foundation being built right here in our school.
Congratulations to Our KMEA Stars!
Please join us in celebrating Jaci Correll and Taylor Wyeth for representing Challenger Intermediate with such excellence and poise. You have made your school and your community incredibly proud!