The Owasso Choir cruise to Cozumel
By James Burkhalter
Picture of The Owasso Choir taken by Randy Dye
Every year, the Owasso Choir takes a trip often after their OSSAA choir contest. In 2022, they went to Dallas and sang at Six Flags; last year, they traveled to Ireland with the Owasso Band and performed in two cathedrals. This year, they embarked on a cruise bound for Cozumel, Mexico. The choir trips to Dallas and Ireland were both scheduled meticulously, with each activity being predetermined months before but what many students enjoyed was how open the schedule was on this year’s cruise. The only event scheduled, outside of the nightly dinners, was the performance of the choir’s “POPS Concert,” which drew in a large crowd and was well-praised. During their downtime, students had the opportunity to participate in the various activities hosted by the cruise line on every floor and were sure to take advantage of them.
America Huerta, a senior choir student, was asked to sing with a couple of cruise performers on the second day of the trip.
“I felt like I was in my element… he [a cruise performer] saw me singing along to one of his songs… [so] he said, ‘Do you want to sing?’ and I said sure,” stated Huerta.
Huerta was one of few Owasso kids to perform outside of the “POPS Concert” performance. But she was not the only student who found something fun to do on the ship.
Pictures of various Owasso students participating in activities on the cruise ship taken by Rebecca Robinson and James Burkhalter
The Owasso Choir has been preparing for the “POPS Concert” for months. After picking the theme, “decades,” for their concert, the choir was eager to see how their audience on the cruise would receive it, and they did not disappoint. After the performance, many students were praised by various people on the ship. Some may be unwilling to admit it, but that was their favorite part of the trip.
Another highlight of their trip was the day on the beach in Cozumel. Following weeks of rigorous rehearsals, students had the chance to lay in the sun, swim in the ocean or snorkel.
“One of my favorite parts of Cozumel… [was] the clear, beautiful waters… and the sea urchin that stung me!” laughed Kaden Marshall.
Pictures of The Owasso Choir’s day in Cozumel taken by James Burkhalter
“It’s really a joy just to see them travel and to learn a bigger perspective than themselves,” glowed Rebecca Robinson, one of five choir directors.
This trip gave many Owasso kids opportunities to meet new people and strengthen relationships, turning out to be some students’ favorite choir memory that they will remember forever.
If you’d like to be as impressed and overjoyed as the many audience members on the Carnival Breeze Cruise, then watch the “POPS Concert” on May 2nd in the Mary Glass PAC at 7 PM!