Grace Maslyk, Bryce Goodin, Claire Romig, and Elise Hitch are all members of the ETC Heid’s School of Musical Arts show choir group the All Americans and last weekend kicked off ETC Heid’s School of Musical Arts Competition Season, in Hurricane, West Virginia at the Red Hot Championship, where the All Americans won Grand Champion. 

Their competition season lasts from February to late March. In total, the groups will compete six times over this year’s competition season. 

The All Americans 2022-2023 show theme is “Dance Like Nobody’s Watching,” and their set includes seven numbers, with three costume changes throughout. 

The All Americans have been working hard since the summer to ready their show for this year’s competition season. 

Leading up to Hurricane, the All Americans performed at many community shows, as well as a Fall, and Christmas show. 

All of this preparation paid off, because, this past weekend at Hurricane, the All Americans took home the Grand Champion trophy at the end of the night. 

Senior member Abby Karlo has been part of All Americans for the past four years. 

“Winning the GC made me the happiest I’ve been in a while, and I just couldn’t stop smiling and crying,” Karlo said. “The GC was absolutely a wonderful start to the season, but I think the performance we put on was even more impactful.” 

In addition to taking home the Grand Champion trophy, the All Americans also went home with the award for Best Choreography as well. 

Though competing is a highlight of the season, it also helps build friendships among the members within the group. 

Everyone empowers each other, which really allows for the group to grow as a whole, making the wins extra special. 

“We were winners ourselves before awards even happened, and I think that we will continue to just enjoy our show, whether the judges see its worth or not,” Karlo said. 

WHS senior Grace Maslyk has been a member of the All Americans for the past four years. Going into her senior season of ETC, Grace is really proud of the friends and family she has made during her time with the All Americans, and Rouge. 

“Winning a GC this weekend really showed our team what we are capable of,” Maslyk said. “I think working really hard in finals, and then winning, really brought us together and showed us how fortunate we are to have each other as a family.”

Winning the Grand Champion awards has built up the group’s confidence in their show, and their performance.

 “If we remember why we do what we do then we are unstoppable,” Maslyk said. “Coming together and spreading our joy to the audience and judges is the most important thing.” 

 The All Americans look foreword to perform their show at upcoming competitions this season, where they can perform with their friends and just have a good time.