Merrillville High School Choir

Merrillville Performing Arts students attended a performance of HAMILTON in Chicago in late March 2026, starring MHS Choir Alum A.D. Weaver as General Washington. AD graciously brought a few cast members for a "talk back" session in Reinhart Auditorium. In a follow-up lesson, MHS choir students were asked for "takeaways" from the session. We created a poster for our classroom with our favorite quotes, but our favorite was A.D. Weaver's "You can't fake excellence." Thank you, A.D. and friends!

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Dehren Young is the son of Erin Goode and Demario Young. Dehren has been a member of the MHS Choral program for all four years. A three-year member of the Vocalteens and Choralteens, Dehren competed at ISSMA Solo and Ensemble District and State contests, earning gold medals for the solos and ensembles he sang in. Dehren has also been active in the Merrillville High School spring musical productions as well as M&M/Ross' annual choir fundraiser SCROOGE the Musical and summer musical theatre productions.

When asked to reflect on his choir memories, Dehren stated that his most memorable choir experience was Christmas season his sophomore year and the boys' piece for ISSMA his senior year. Dehren said his funniest choir experience is Terry's existence. The thing he will miss most about choir is "having my guys."
This fall, Dehren plans to go to Purdue Northwest for Mechanical Engineering and intern at Rolls-Royce after freshman year.

Amari Roberson is the daughter of Kysha Roberson and Raleigh Roberson. Amari has been a member of the MHS Choral program for all four years. A member of the Choralteens, Amari competed at ISSMA Solo and Ensemble District and State contests, earning gold medals for the ensembles she sang in.

When asked to reflect on her choir memories, Amari shared that her most memorable choir experience was spring concert 2025 when the power went out mid-performance! That day was stressful and also hilarious. Her funniest choir memory was Nathan running around the classroom chest-bumping everyone in sight! The things that she will miss most about choir is every event and activity we got to participate in during Christmas time. Our winter concert has always been my favorite since I was just a freshman, and once I moved into the Advanced Class, the season had even more to offer, with the main event being the elementary school tour, which will always be the time of the choir year that makes my heart glow, and as I move on after high school, I will miss this the most. Amari will be attending Indiana University Bloomington in the fall.

Kennedi McIntosh is the daughter of Lashondra McIntosh. Kennedi has been a member of the MHS Choral program for all four years. A member of the Choralteens this year, Kennedi was a member of the Noteables for two years. She competed at ISSMA Solo and Ensemble District and State contests, earning gold medals for the solos and ensembles she sang in. Kennedi has also been active in the MHS Spring Musicals as well as the M&M/Ross' annual choir fundraiser SCROOGE the Musical and summer musical theatre productions.

When asked to reflect on her choir memories, Kennedi said her most memorable choir experience was when "The wires are broken" being chanted throughout the room as Genesis tried not to kill us. The wires weren't even broken, the bluetooth just was on, but still it was hilarious. Her funniest choir moment was when "Tori ripped off her wig and ran two laps around the theater because I thought I saw a spider on her. (It was her eyelash) I genuinely have never laughed that hard in my life." The thing that I will miss most about choir is the family atmosphere. "Whether I hate you all, or have to force myself to love you from a distance, there is love regardless. We have formed lifelong bonds, even if we don't keep in touch, every single person I have connected with in my time here has a permanent place in my heart. Music truly is the gateway to true love and understanding." Kennedi plans to go to school for early childhood education and save up until I can move out. In the meantime I'll probably find myself here for the summer shows and Scrooge!

Armahni Bingham is the daughter of Ashley Nash and Antjuan Bingham. Armanhi has been a member of the Concert Choir for two years.

When asked to reflect on her choir memories, Armahni said her most memorable choir experience was her entire freshman year--the best ever. The thing she will miss most about choir is the memories, the laughter, and the moments where we all just clicked and made something amazing together. Armahni has chosen to go to school for sonography.

Victoria Pujoe is the daughter of Michelle Betford-Pujoe and Joseph Pujoe. Victoria has been a member of the MHS Choral program for all four years. A member of the Choralteens, Victoria competed at ISSMA Solo and Ensemble District and State contests, earning gold medals for the ensembles she sang in. Victoria has also been active in the MHS Spring Musicals as well as the M&M/Ross' annual choir fundraiser SCROOGE the Musical and summer musical theatre productions.

When asked to reflect on her choir memories, Victoria shared that her most memorable choir moment was fighting for my life to open the red curtain at 2 different performances concerts. Her funniest choir memories include our class choir memes. The thing she will miss most about choir is the beautiful blend we had when singing and our petty fights over nothing. After graduation, Victoria plans to attend the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) out in Hyde Park, New York. The goal is to be a pastry chef.

Aaliyah McMillan is the daughter of Latonda and Sherron McMillan. Aaliyah has been a member of the MHS Choral program for all four years. A member of the Choralteens, Aaliyah competed at ISSMA Solo and Ensemble District and State contests, earning gold medals for the ensembles she sang in. Aaliyah has also been active in the M&M/Ross' annual choir fundraiser SCROOGE the Musical and summer musical theatre productions.

When asked to reflect on her choir memories, Aaliyah shared that her most memorable choir moment was singing for the elementary schools, like when I was a kid, seeing the kids in sparkly dresses singing. Her funniest choir memory was "when we would draw a giant cheese outside in sidewalk chalk and try not to get the cheese touch, and when we danced to the Just Dance videos.
The thing I will miss most about choir is the friendships I've made through each of the classes I was in, performing for my friends and family, and Lizzy T's back massages. My future plans are to go to college for business management and become a fashion designer."

Jamya Crockett is the daughter of Jennifer Fizer. Jamya has only been a member of the MHS Choral program for one year. Jamya competed at ISSMA Solo and Ensemble District and State contests, earning gold medals for her solo. Jamya has also been active in the Merrillville High School spring musical production of SEUSSICAL as well as M&M/Ross' summer musical theatre productions.

When asked to reflect on her choir memories, Jamya shared:
"My most memorable moment of choir has to be when I went to ISSMA. It was my first time doing it, and even though it was nerve-racking, it was fun as well! I would definitely want to do it again if I had the choice. The funniest choir experience was probably when my class and I talked about Irish food on St. Patrick's Day..... It was gross yet funny. The thing I will miss most about choir is the people I either reunited with or the friends I made along the way. It sucks that I have to part ways with them so soon, even though I just got here. MOST of the choir people are really cool people, and I'm glad I met them when I did. I wouldn't have changed it for anything else. I plan on going to Augustana College to pursue my career in Performing Arts! Acting specifically. Hopefully, I'll be able to study abroad around the world like I plan to! Fingers crossed and prayers up!"