ATSC attended the Fame Orlando Show Choir Competition over intercession. It was one of six regional competitions that lead to the show choir finals in Chicago. The group placed second in the competition against eight other show choirs from across the country. However, this was not what the group expected after a rough start in the fall.

“This season exceeded everyone’s expectations because we graduated so many seniors last year that even amongst the group there was a little bit of doubt about what the season would be like,” said ATSC director Doran Johnson.

ATSC really did exceed everyone’s expectations  when they broke the record for the number of grand championships in a single season at Westside with five grand championships.

“We brought in a guest from Des Moines over winter break and she totally transformed their year. She helped us find the courage and confidence to not be fearful of those things we did not feel skilled at,” said Johnson.

Throughout the season, the group made changes to the show and the choreography allowing for constant improvement from performance to performance. The transformation was not only a direct result of the guest, but by the group themselves. In order to do well at competitions, they had to make a conscious decision to step up and continue the ATSC legacy.

“Every time they came out, their backs were against the wall and going into their finals performance they came out with their claws up and they owned what they were doing,” said Johnson, “It was their effort and it was a team effort. There were no superstars in the group, they all rose together.”