- May 6, 2026
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For Jack Christie, a senior at Lakewood Ranch High School and co-president of the choir, music means more than singing the right notes.
Christie said music programs — choir, band and orchestra — instill motivation in students to push through their difficulties in life.
He said having these outlets of expression allow students to understand the value of hard work and the rewards that come with that work. The students learn skills to prepare them for life after high school.
And he appreciates singing songs about love and community.
“We’ve sung songs about discrimination and ending violence, about the loss of loved ones, and about the creation of life itself,” Christie said. “All of those messages that we take to heart truly enhance the experience we have.”
The National Association of Music Merchants Foundation agrees that Lakewood Ranch High is doing it right. For the second consecutive year, it awarded the Lakewood Ranch High School music department with the Best Communities for Music Education Award.
It is one of four schools (Arch Creek Elementary in North Miami, Countryside Montessori Charter School in Land O' Lakes, and Southwest Miami Senior High School are the others) in Florida and one of 127 in the country. The award acknowledges aspects that help to build and expand the program including community support, participation, funding, instructional time and facilities.
Sophia Wisman, a senior in choir who feels joy and a sense of self when she performs, said her choir director Rebekah Lester has been a big part of it. Wisman said Lester gives her students an opportunity to express themselves.
With Lester bringing life to the music, Wisman said she motivates the choir students to come alive. Wisman said that music helps her feel a sense of passion and comfort.
“Choir has shown me that I can use my voice, but not only in a choir sense,” Wisman said. “I can be heard and accepted.”
Senior Alexa Jaime is co-president of the choir along with Christie.
“I've always told myself that I'm going to continue (music) no matter what,” Jaime said. “I appreciate the encouragement from my teachers, not only from music teachers, but from other teachers who have seen me in action and encouraged me to continue on.”
Norah Hoyt is a sophomore who plays tenor saxophone in the band. She is a newbie compared to her classmates, many of whom have been playing since sixth grade. She was afraid to make mistakes at first, but through trial and error, she has caught up.
John Wilkerson is the director of bands at Lakewood Ranch High School. Hoyt said he threw her into the wind symphony, an upper band.
“I could barely play,” Hoyt said. “He took that leap and hoped for the best and it ended up working well. He believed in me and that was encouraging. Everyone was super supportive throughout the year.”
Junior Caroline Bartlomiejczuk and senior Sofia Ortega are vice presidents of the orchestra.
Ortega said she appreciates how much effort Orchestra Director Melissa Diaz does herself, such as taking violin lessons and going to workshops, to be more prepared to help her students.
“What makes her class worthwhile is how much she wants to be there,” Ortega said. “You can tell she loves what she does and she’s always encouraging us to do better. She does lead by example.”
Bartlomiejczuk has been afraid of playing her violin in front of people, but she decided to put herself out there and do her first solo this year. She received a superior rating, which is the highest a student can get. It gave her a sense of pride and triumph.
“Instead of feeling like a chore, it now feels like more of a passion,” Bartlomiejczuk said.
Ortega also is a member of the choir and loves the music groups for different reasons. She has been playing in the orchestra for several years and it's a skill that she built up over time. She joined choir for fun last year and fell in love with it. Both groups are an escape for her.
Wilkerson said it is remarkable to be recognized for the work that the students, parents, community members and educators have put into the program.
“We’re trying to be a step ahead of everybody else and the end goal is to make the program so enticing that parents want their kids to be in it,” Wilkerson said. “We want to meet every student's need that we can and help them grow and be better musicians, better community members, and better humans in general.”
Dustin Dalquist, the principal of Lakewood Ranch High School, said the music department helps define the identity of the school. It creates connection, fosters creativity, and provides an outlet of expression.
"We are investing in opportunities that help students discover their talents and reach their full potential,” Dalquist said. “This type of program supports the student academically, socially, and emotionally. We’re helping prepare students for success both in and beyond the classroom."
