Isabella Shellnutt’s time at Hidden Valley High School has been marked by her dedication to choir. Through her passion for music, she has grown as both a singer and a person while helping her school make history along the way.
For the first time in school history, Hidden Valley High School has earned the Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA) Blue Ribbon Award, one of the highest distinctions for music programs in the Commonwealth. This prestigious honor is presented only when the top-rated band, choir and orchestra at a school all receive superior ratings at their district assessments.
“Our choral ensembles rose to that challenge, and I’m proud to highlight their achievements,” said choir director Mr. Miller.
Shellnutt’s dedication to choir played a key role in the choir’s achievement and led her to earn a place in the All-State Choir.
While Shellnutt participated in band during middle school, she always had a passion for singing. This passion led her to join the choir as a freshman at Hidden Valley.
“When I joined my freshman year, most of the students had been part of choir since middle school, and many of them were older,” Shellnutt said. “It was a unique experience and an interesting dynamic.”
By her sophomore year, she had advanced into the school’s top two choirs.
“I really enjoyed being part of the upper two choirs because we worked on music that required a lot of effort,” she said. “It made it both fun and challenging.”
Miller highlighted Shellnutt’s growth and determination. “The choir has given Bella a strong sense of belonging and an opportunity to pursue a passion of hers,” he said. “She not only excels as a singer in the choir room and on stage, but she pushes herself daily.”
Shellnutt has been a committed member of the choral program for all four years of high school.
“She is driven and motivated to be a better singer. Not just for herself, but also to be an effective student leader,” Miller said. “She is passionate about choral music, and that shows in her ability to appreciate all types of choral music that comes her way.”
Shellnutt’s four years in choir have made her a dedicated and inspiring member of the program, showcasing her love for music, her leadership, and her role in achieving a milestone for Hidden Valley’s music department.
Shellnutt will be attending Shenandoah University in the fall of 2025, she plans to pursue a degree in Music Education.
