Schools Appeal Tribune, www.silvertonappeal.com B1 Wednesday, May 11, 2016 PHOTOS COURTESY OF CORBAN UNIVERSITY The Silverton High School Choir performs in the OSAA 5A State Choir Championships at George Fox University on Friday May 6. A TROPHY FOR SILVERTON High school choir improves, takes 5th place in state meet Three years ago, Silverton placed 11th. Last year, it took 8th. This year it moved into the top five and left with a trophy. “I am so proud of these kids,” Jennifer Kercher, Silverton’s director, said. “I owe it all to them. They have worked so incredibly hard this year ... I’m excited to see what their future holds.” Kercher is leaving Silverton High af- ter the school year. Sophomore Kaylee Smith said Kercher will be missed. “This is a really good goodbye. It’s been such an emotional bittersweet feel- ing,” Smith said. Brigitta Seifer said it was the first time Silverton won a trophy in the state championships during Kercher’s tenure. “We have nowhere to go but up, be- cause we’re just sophomores. We’re go- ing to have to help out next year with the new director,” Seifer said. Three years ago, Silverton placed 11th. Last year, it took eighth. This year it moved into the top five and left the OSAA 5A State Choir Championships at George Fox University with a trophy. COURTESY OF CORBAN UNIVERSITY The sophomore-heavy Silverton High School Choir will look for even bigger things as members mature and a new director comes in. Jennifer Kercher, Silverton’s director, is leaving after putting the program on the state map. REACH US: Cliff Kirkpatrick, ckirkpatr@Salem.gannett.com