By Nate Slee, broadcast editor

Luthea Sweeney

After Saegertown’s music teacher Patrick Baldwin resigned in late August, chorus students were saddened by having what had become a study hall. This all changed when senior Luthea Sweeney stepped up and created a fully functional and daily updated google classroom. “Ms.Sweeney” is what the google classroom read, and she posted sheet music and videos of the songs for each day’s class. 

”I  am not waiting for someone else to take control. We are going to have music, and we are going to have it now,” Sweeney said. “I am not going to let the music department die.” She tried to make the chorus as normal as possible, and until recently she was working with district substitute Alex Cummings, who has been as helpful as possible keeping students focused and respectful. After Mr. Cummings left at the end of September, the class has been covered daily by other teachers, and Sweeney has continued to provide activities.

Despite Sweeney being a full-time student at Saegertown, she managed to keep up with both roles. “The stress is not as bad as I thought it would be,” Sweeney said. She is an AP student, a member of math and science club, an editor and photographer for the Panther Press, and is currently taking college classes with NPRC. 

In late September, Sweeney approached administration about the possibility of a small holiday concert at the winter sports assembly, and they were open to the idea. Of course, the situation has changed with the hiring of music teacher Angela Graham at the Oct. 13 school board meeting. Sweeney is excited about the new beginning for the program.

“So far, I love Mrs. Graham. She is excited about what she is doing,” Sweeney said. “I have mixed feelings about not ‘teaching’ chorus anymore. I am relieved, but it taught me a lot about my leadership skills and gave me confidence.”