A Journey of Growth and Opportunity
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – What began as a vision three years ago at Hattiesburg High School has now transformed into a powerful platform for students to express themselves and pursue higher education through the choral arts program.
Gary McCullum, the driving force behind the initiative, recalls the early days when only 23 students were involved in the program. “We had about 23 students across the entirety of the program,” he said.
Fast forward to 2026, and the choral arts program has grown exponentially, boasting over 130 members. This growth is not just in numbers but in the opportunities it provides for students looking to explore their talents and future paths.
On Friday, 11 students took a significant step forward by signing up for the next phase of their musical journeys. One of them, senior Jaylah McClendon, shared her plans: “I plan on majoring in nursing and minoring in musical theatre.”
These students are choosing to stay within the Pine Belt, enrolling in institutions such as William Carey University and Pearl River Community College. According to McCullum, the decision to attend these schools was rooted in their personal aspirations. “They started our program with sharing that these were places they desired to go to for a number of different reasons,” he explained.
McClendon, who joined the choral arts program two years ago, will be attending William Carey University. She described how the program has become a refuge during stressful times. “When school stresses me out, I have somewhere to go,” she said.
The choral arts program has also provided students with unique experiences, including traveling across the country to perform. Notably, they recently performed at Carnegie Hall in March. For McClendon, this experience was life-changing. “Usually, I was confined to one spot,” she said. “I didn’t really do much, but choir really opened the world up to me.”
McCullum acknowledges that building the program has not been without its challenges. However, the dedication of the students has never wavered. “The blessing behind today is that we actually got a chance to see our scholars not only rise to the occasion, but prepare to take flight into their next level of education,” he said.
Students like McClendon have found more than just a place to sing—they’ve discovered a mentor and guide. “Not only can he help you gain more educational and opportunities, but he can help you develop as a person,” she added.
The impact of the program is evident in the financial support it has brought to students. Altogether, the students received just under $405,000 in scholarships. This achievement underscores the value of the program and the potential it holds for future students.
As the choral arts program continues to grow, it serves as a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and community support. With each new member and performance, the program inspires a new generation of students to dream big and reach for their goals.
