Gentry, AR — Senior Olyvia Freed and junior Lazaro Cardenas recently earned All-State Choir honors, competing against thousands of students from across the state — from schools of all sizes.
Olyvia ranked as the ninth-best tenor in the state, while Lazaro was the 24th-best bass singer. It was Olyvia’s third time earning All-State honors and Lazaro’s second.
“If you think of it like a sports equivalency, Olyvia and Lazaro essentially competed in the state tournament — and they won it,” said Gentry Choir Director Anthony Dutton. “I’m extremely proud of them and all the hard work they put into it. They represent our school and our community very well.”
Dutton, in his third year as Gentry’s choir director and a graduate of the University of Arkansas, said both Olyvia and Lazaro worked extremely hard to achieve All-State honors. They first had to qualify in a regional competition, competing against students from area schools. Then, they auditioned for All-State and were judged in blind auditions — by judges scoring them solely on their vocal performance.
After earning All-State honors, they participated in a special clinic and performance at Russellville High School, sharing the stage with the state’s most talented choral performers.
Both Olyvia and Lazaro credited Mr. Dutton for their success, saying his longevity and consistency at the school has helped the choir program grow significantly.
“He’s all about supporting us and making us better,” Lazaro said. Added Olyvia: “We know he cares about us, and we have more confidence in ourselves because of him.”
Both students excel in more than just vocal music — they perform in the Gentry bands (Olyvia is a percussionist and Lazaro plays the euphonium), and both recently performed in the school’s theatrical production of The Little Mermaid.
Fine arts will also lead Olyvia to college after her high school graduation this month. She will attend the University of Central Arkansas in the fall to major in theatre and minor in music. She hopes to become a high school theatre director someday.
She leaves this message for underclassmen:
“Even if you don’t think you’re at the level you should be, don’t give up. There are always bigger and better things to achieve in everything, and you aren’t going to get there if you don’t try.”
Media Contact:
Mark Scott
Director of Community Engagement
Gentry High School
mscott@gentrypioneers.com
(479) 264-0103