For T’Nes Pierre, the all-state choir competitions stand out as an important moment of her high school experience. The intense competition results in a state choir that performs in New Orleans, but students must first win a spot on the all-district choir.
Pierre made all-state choir three years in row – her sophomore, junior and senior years at HHS.
“Me being in all-state in high school really meant a lot, because that made me feel as if nothing was impossible, that I could do a lot of things,” Pierre said. “And it really motivated me to keep trying and keep pushing in school and in choir.”
Pierre, who graduated magna cum laude, said she grew up in a musical family and has been involved in her church’s choir from a young age.
“Choir has played a huge part in my life,” she said. “I grew up in a family that loves to sing and loves to do music in general. That’s our way of communicating.”
Pierre joined the school choir in elementary school.
“That was really a way for me to get comfortable with people,” she said. “Me being in choir helped me open up, and even with my education in school, it helped me. It helped me talk more and communicate with others.”
Pierre made HHS’s ensemble show choir as a freshman.
“It was nerve wracking because I was with a lot of people and I was one of the only freshmen,” she said. “I felt very intimidated because I wanted to match with everyone else’s skill level. I wanted to be as good as them.”
The other students in the choir were welcoming and helpful, she said.
“We were all a family,” she said. “So, I was able to go to them and ask for help if I needed. This choir means a lot to me. Because it just really helped me to develop myself as a person.”
Her advice to other students interested in choir is to stick with it.
“You will love it,” she said. “Just keep doing it. Don’t stop, because I had moments where I wanted to stop, but knowing my heart, I couldn’t stop, because I love doing it. I love singing, so just keep pushing. Don’t settle for less if you know you could do better. Just keep going.”
In addition to choir, Pierre was also involved in Beta Club, Interact Club, National Honor Society and National Honor Society of Scholars. She was a Student of the Year nominee, and she was on the honor roll and principal’s list all four years.
She plans to study early childhood education at Southeastern Louisiana University. She hopes one day to be a first-grade teacher in Luling, following the footsteps of her mom and grandmother, who both work in the St. Charles Parish public school system.
