The Fort Dodge Senior High School senior was recently named to the All-State Chorus for the second time and it came after a major surgery.

She earned All-State status her sophomore year and missed out in her junior year.

But for four years, McHone has undergone the process of preparing and competing.

“I have auditioned for All-State choir all four years of high school, and through this process I have become a much better musician,” McHone said. “The cool thing about All-State is you get to sing with other high schoolers who want to learn and are passionate about music.

“I made All-State my sophomore and senior year, but I didn’t make it my junior year.”

Not earning All-State status as a junior was a hidden blessing for McHone.

“Although it was really hard and disappointing at the moment to not make All-State after making it the year before, it ended up being one of my biggest blessings,” McHone said. “I had put so much of my hope in how well I performed and how much I achieved, but through this experience I was reminded that my worth is not in what I do.

“Instead my worth is in who I am in Christ, and it is what He says about me that matters. This experience also taught me how to better encourage those experiencing both successes and failures.”

As a senior, hip surgery put her in a wheelchair, but didn’t stop her from trying out.

“This year I auditioned for All-State in a wheelchair because I had a major hip surgery two weeks earlier,” McHone said. “The biggest thing I felt this year while at All-State was thankfulness. There are many incredibly talented people who never make All-State, so I was grateful to get the opportunity to experience singing with so many other musicians.

“I also didn’t think I would be able to audition this year because of my surgery, so I was so thankful for all of the people who helped me be able to participate and for my amazing audition partner Lauren Paterson who was so flexible and patient with me,” she said.

Along with choir, McHone is involved in orchestra, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, musical, speech, HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America), National Honor Society, Dodger Senate, Silver Cord, church and youth group.

She has also participated in cheerleading and Dodger Dance.

Being a part of choir and speech, gives McHone the chance to share her voice and skills.

“I am a quieter person, but speech has given me a chance to step out of my comfort zone and express myself in new ways. When I am performing, I feel freedom to show big emotions, and love the opportunity to bring someone elses story to life,” McHone said. “Speech is always a lot of fun, and it has also helped me grow in my communication and public speaking skills.

“I love the unity of singing as a choir. Everyone is singing their own part, but we all work together to make beautiful music.

McHone’s future plans of attending the University of Iowa in Iowa City to become a pediatric nurse, have guided her to HOSA.

“HOSA gives students interested in pursuing a career in the medical field a chance to learn and practice skills and compete in health care related competitions,” McHone said. “It’s been really fun getting to practice skills that I will use as a nurse. This year I will be competing in Mental Health Awareness and Clinical Nursing.”

Taking pride in her school has led McHone to becoming part of Dodger Senate.

“This year I have had two major hip surgeries and I have been more limited in the activities I am able to do,” McHone said. “I enjoy planning events and working with others to make our school a better place, so I thought Dodger Senate would be a great opportunity,. We have a great team of student leaders, and it’s been a lot of fun.”

McHone has also been a part of service projects through Fort Dodge’s musical that has helped lead her to helping others.

“I believe that it is important for young people to feel like they have the power to make a difference in the world,” McHone said. “I had heard of other schools doing a service project to go along with their musical and I thought it was a great way to use the platform that our musical provides to help others. My goal with these projects was to create a tradition of service projects to go along with the FDSH musical.

“There is a plan to do a service project this year, but my goal this year is to step back and let an underclassman take the lead in the hopes that this project will continue after I graduate,” she added

One of the biggest things that McHone will miss after graduation will be her time in Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

“I will miss Fellowship of Christian Athletes,” McHone said. “This has been one of the highlights of my week this year because it has helped me grow in my faith and given me a good community of other students who are trying to pursue God, too.

“I will also miss my daily chats with Ms. (Kim) Wankum. I will also miss Dodger Dance. It’s been a favorite activity with lots of great memories and friendships.”

As her time as a Dodger wraps up, McHone is looking forward to the process.

“Being a senior has given me a chance to reach out, befriend, and support underclassmen and share the things I have learned in high school with them,” McHone said. “It has also given me a chance to take more leadership.”

Being a part of “Les Miserables” has left a big impact on McHone.

“One of the most memorable moments was performing ‘Les Miserables,” McHone said. “The show had such a powerful message of grace, and I was able to perform with my brother which was really special.

“Everyone involved in the show worked so hard, and it was amazing to see a show of that magnitude come together.”

Without people in her corner, being a part of so many activities would not be possible and McHone has leaned on her mother for support.

“My mom is one of my biggest supporters and she has taught me to prioritize the most important things, to not give up when I feel discouraged, and to love others well,” McHone said. “My friend Elyse Ellsbury has also been a huge influence for me. She has quite a few challenges in her life, but instead of growing bitter, she has used her experiences to help others and encourage other young people to make a difference in the world.”

Vacation destination: London.

People I would like to have dinner with: My friend MK.

It would surprise people that: I spent a summer in the Middle East.

My everyday role model: Suzanne Fink.

I can’t go a day without: Listening to music.

Where do I see myself in 10 years?

working as a nurse overseas somewhere.

What are you listening to right now?

anything by Josiah Queen.

A show you binge watch: “The Great British Baking Show”.

Dream piece: Mary Poppins.

Favorites…

Musical: Big Fish.

Performer that inspires me: Corban McHone.

Performance: “Les Miserables”.

Song: “Altars Over Stages” by Josiah Queen.

Class: Medical Terminology

and Choir.

Music genre: Christian Music.

Instrument: Violin.

Movie: “Little Women.”

Book: Anne of Green Gables.

Phone App.: Amazon Music.