West Shamokin Senior Attends All-East Chorus Festival

by Jonathan Weaver

A West Shamokin High student had the highlight of her senior year April 9-12.

Olyvia DiDiano, of Kittanning, sang soprano as part of the All-East Honors Ensemble in Providence, Rhode Island.

When she started at the junior high – which is attached to the school – five years ago, DiDiano didn’t even imagine she’d be where she is today.

“I wasn’t even thinking about this when I was in seventh grade – I didn’t think I’d ever get this far with my singing,” Olyvia said. “In ninth grade, my grandma said ‘Wow, you really have a talent – you should do something with it’ so I said I’d try it.”

DiDiano is the only student to attend All-East from the Armstrong School District this school year, and the only student in the 15-year history of the Rural Valley school.

She auditioned for the festival at the State festival at the end of the 2013-14 school year, and found out about her selection via letter around Thanksgiving.

Of the three choirs that performed, DiDiano was part of the mixed choir that sang eight pieces.

There were about 380 students in the mixed choir from across the 13 states – from Maine south to Maryland.

DiDiano made the nine-hour drive with School Chorus Teacher Cathie Reefer and practiced almost non-stop until the Sunday concert.

She bought a new full-length black dress for the concert at Veterans Memorial Hall in Providence and roomed with students from the states of New York and Vermont at the Bitmore Hotel in downtown Providence.

DiDiano will attend Point Park University for Sports, Arts and Entertainment Management. She achieved a $15,000 per year scholarship.

DiDiano auditioned last weekend for Barbizon Modeling and Acting in Pittsburgh and will take her first classes this weekend.

She found out about the agency through friend, Senior Dawnelle Ion.

Younger sister, Haley – a sophomore at West Shamokin – has not attended a choral festival yet, but is possibly interested in attending one next school year. DiDiano said Haley might even make it to All-East someday.

“If my sister tries hard enough, I think she could make it,” Olyvia said.

Earlier this year, DiDiano won the school talent show and also completed her cross country and soccer seasons.

DiDiano’s last concert at West Shamokin is tomorrow night at 7PM in the school auditorium.

“I’ve been to a lot of festivals, but this was the greatest of all,” Olyvia said. “Definitely the best way to end senior year.”

At previous school district board meetings, Superintendent Stan Chapp praised DiDiano for the honor.

Reefer, an Armstrong School Teacher for 35 years, said a musician attended All-East in the mid-1980’s, but was “very proud” of Olyvia.