A Rainy Return and a Bittersweet Song: Sandy High’s Holiday Gift to Welches

It was pouring outside Welches Elementary School on December 13, but, for the students of Sandy High School, the weather was just a backdrop to an annual tradition. A district van and two school buses pulled up, loaded with students and gear, and the "schlep" began.

With rain hitting the pavement in sheets, students and helpers dodged raindrops as they hauled in a heavy marimba, various drums, and carts loaded with chairs and music stands. Despite the damp start, the atmosphere inside the building quickly shifted from soggy to celebratory as the Sandy High music department set up for the last leg of a district-wide tour that included Cedar Ridge, Boring, and Welches middle schools – all in one day.

The performance opened with the Pionaires, Sandy High’s select vocal jazz group. Known for their intricate a cappella harmonies and a repertoire that swings from jazz to blues, they delivered an eclectic mix of holiday songs. Following them, the full choir took the stage – a sea of vibrant red robes – performing with gusto.

The concert concluded with the full band. They performed classic holiday music along with contemporary tunes featuring a rock beat, a highlight for the young audience members who excitedly sang along from their seats.

Amidst the sea of performers was a familiar face to the Welches community: soloist Scarlett Stenson. When I covered this performance last year, I spoke at length with Scarlett and her mother. Now a senior at Sandy High, Scarlett attended Welches schools from kindergarten through 8th grade. Her return to her old stomping grounds added a deeply personal layer to the event, though this year’s performance carried a bittersweet weight.

In August, Scarlett lost her mother, Nicole Stenson. Nicole played an active role in the Sandy High Music Foundation (SHMF) and was known as a dedicated supporter who spoke proudly of her daughter’s talent. Watching Scarlett perform this year, it was impossible not to feel her mother's legacy in the music.

Between sets, I had the chance to speak with Scarlett. She is a versatile musician – playing piano, learning guitar, and writing her own music. Beyond the instruments, she simply sings like a bird.

As she prepares to graduate, her sights are set on the Ivy League. She has applied to Cornell University, where she plans to pursue a unique "Plan A and Plan B" double major in entomology and music. Whether she is studying the complexities of the natural world or the structure of a song, it is clear she has the drive to succeed in both.

As the rain continued to fall outside, Scarlett’s performance served as a reminder of the resilience of the local spirit. We wish her the very best in her final year at Sandy High and beyond: may her music take her everywhere she dreams of going.