There are eight students in the 2013-14 a capella ensemble, which defeated groups from schools in New York, North Carolina, Ohio and Tennessee.
The group will make a return trip to New York City on April 25 to compete in the national finals against a handful of other a capella groups across the country.
An a capella group from Kettering Fairmont High School, Fusion, will also be there. Fusion won an ICHSA competition in Chicago on Feb. 21. Trevor Ginsberg, Fusion’s vocal percussionist, also walked away with an Outstanding Vocal Percussion award from the competition.
At CJ, returning members of Vega are Cassidy Aughe, Addi Helms, Daniel Jackson and David Marshall. Newcomers to the program are Katy Harrington, Ayanna Hayes, Kaylee Piatt and Sean Stewart.
“It’s my favorite thing to do; I love being a part of Vega,” said Helms, who is a junior and sings alto. “This awesome group is like a family; it’s one of the most amazing things to be a part of.”
Once again, junior Daniel Jackson won Outstanding Vocal Percussion. The entire group was awarded Outstanding Choreography honors.
“It’s great being in Vega because I love the atmosphere,” said Marshall, who sings bass. “I love the rehearsals because we get down to business, but we definitely reap the rewards.”
Whatley founded the group in 2010. Besides the recent “Elevation,” Vega released another CD, “Momentum.”
“The group has worked very hard. We set a goal to win the regional, and put that goal up on the wall. We looked at it every week in the band room,” Whatley said. “To win was really rewarding; I couldn’t be more proud.”
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