As the school year winds down, two standout seniors, Halle Browning and Hope Harvey, recently participated in Fine Arts Signing Day. Halle is headed to Ouachita Baptist University to study Graphic Design and join the band and be on the yearbook staff while Hope will attend Southwest Baptist University to study Nursing and perform with their color guard team.
For Halle Browning, band has been a part of her life since 7th grade. Over the past six years, she’s developed a deep love for music. Her interest sparked back in kindergarten when she saw a marching band at a football game and instantly knew she wanted to be part of that world. Since then, her passion has grown. Halle plays the French horn in concert band and mellophone in marching band, using her talents to help lead and uplift the band community as she is also the band’s President.
“I have always loved being in a band at CAC,” Halle shared. “My favorite memory has to be when we got 3rd place at state marching assessment at War Memorial. I was just proud we made it there, but placing made it even more special. That moment reminded me how hard we all worked together and it was a huge honor.”
Beyond music, Halle discovered a love for visual art through her role on the yearbook staff, which helped inspire her decision to major in Graphic Design. “Being involved in digital media shaped my creativity in so many ways,” she said. “You have to design every page from scratch, and every year you have to come up with something new. It taught me how to think outside the box and really pay attention to detail.”
As she looks ahead to college, Halle is eager to dive deeper into both design and music. “I’m so excited for art classes, new experiences, and continuing to play in band. It’s been such a blessing in my life, and I can’t wait to keep growing.”
Hope Harvey has made her mark in the world of color guard. Her journey began after seeing a video about a girl who couldn’t see or hear expressing herself through interpretive dance. The emotional performance sparked something in her, and she’s been hooked to color guard ever since.
This fall, Hope will take her talents to SBU, where she’ll pursue a career in nursing, specifically in the NICU. “I grew up watching people work in the hospital where my grandma worked,” she said. “I started volunteering there at 13. I’ve always loved helping people.”
While balancing academics and color guard, Hope has never lost her sense of humor and energy. “One of my favorite memories has to be getting injured while tossing flags up in the air, and somehow they always hit me!” she laughed. Her favorite marching show? “Pirates. It reminded me of Pirates of the Caribbean, and I love that movie!”
Hope says her biggest supporter has been her sister, Faith. “She’s always pushed me to do my best.”
At the college level, Hope is most looking forward to the challenge.
“There’s a larger number of people, and it’s more intense. I’m excited to try new things.”
