The stage is set as West Marion High School award-winning show choir show choir, New Era, launched their 2025 competition season with back-to-back performances on Saturday.
In a historic achievement, the talented group competed in and won two competitions on the same day — one at South Jones High School and the other at Pearl River Community College. As far as records show, according to Director Jon Bullock, no other school in Mississippi or the entire southern region has ever accomplished such a feat.
While at the South Jones Invitational, New Era earned first place in their division and earned a clean sweep in captions, earning best vocals, best choreography and best show design. To cap off the day, New Era also earned a placement of fourth runner-up, and Breanna Conerly was named the group's "best performer."
Without missing a beat, the group then traveled nearly 60 miles to Pearl River Community College in Poplarville to take part in the Mississippi Show Choir Contest, where New Era earned their second first-place victory of the day. New Era was also given the "River Road Award," which is given to the attending group that best exemplifies the spirit of competition. Skyla Jones and Dalton Nolan were awarded as the group's best female and male performers.
"As crazy of an idea that it is, the kids and parents had this excitement about them all day. It really is a fun experience because you realize after you get off stage from the first contest that you have the chance to try and perform even better in about three hours in a new venue in front of a different judging panel, against different competition, with a new audience,” Bullock said. “Everyone was so cooperative with our idea whether it was the school administration, the students and parents, and the hosting competition directors."
The past two competition seasons have been filled with victories similar to the two earned Saturday, and although this year's group is young, the standards and expectations remain the same.
"We have 11 middle school students and nine high school students this year, which makes for an interesting dynamic. You have to figure out a way to get a 12- or 13-year-old kid on the same singing, dancing and performance level of 16- and 17-year-olds who have been in show choir for a few years,” Bullock said. “We are going against very talented groups who have experience and maturity so the challenge will be fun."
In addition to their debut weekend, New Era will showcase their talent at local contests across the state hosted by West Jones High School, Oak Grove High School, Petal High School and Biloxi High School. Looking to broaden their horizons, the show choir will also take their show on the road, competing in Opelika, Ala.
Jones and Conerly, who are both seniors, will be having many last "firsts" this season, but that isn't distracting the two performers from the task at hand.
“I’m very proud of the program we’ve built over the past few years, and I’m very grateful to be on this team,” Jones said. “I’m excited for my final season of show choir and hope it’s the best yet. I can’t wait to compete, and I cannot wait for everyone to see it!”
"I am so excited for this year's season especially because it is my senior year,” Conerly explained. “We've been working hard and pushing ourselves to bring something special to the stage. It's going to be a memorable show for sure."
With their sights set on success, this small but mighty group is ready to embrace an exciting competition season.
