Cario singers honored

Mount Pleasant — Cario Middle School PTSA hopes to raise enough money to send four Cario students and their chaperones to a national honor choir in Oklahoma City.

The four boys, Brendon Holmes, Austin Stevens, Garrett Lacy , and Sullivan Jones were among 11 middle school children in the state to be chosen to perform during an ACDA National Honor Choir convention March 2 to March 8 in Oklahoma City.

The trip is expected to cost up to $2,000 per child and because of budget cuts, Charleston County School District will not be able to pay for the choir teacher, Scott Brunson's trip, either. He has refused donations until he knows all four students have cash in hand.

"It's a terrible expense for people," Brunson said. "We don't have money in the district right now for this."

The American Choral Directors Association holds a national convention biannually. At least one Cario student has been selected to participate in the choir since its inception, but this is the first time four students were chosen.

"This is an unprecedented honor," said Mellanie Holmes, one of the boys' mothers.

Brunson said the event gives students the opportunity to perform with some of the most talented singers in the nation. The music is always challenging and they have the opportunity to work under a different director, he said.

"It's a once in a lifetime opportunity that the kids deserve," Brunson said.

Donations can be sent to Cario PTSA, 3500 Cario Blvd., Mount Pleasant, SC 29466.

Reach Jessica Johnson at 937-5921 or jjohnson@postandcourier.com.