Each year, vocal students at CCCHS audition to be the “star” of the Singing Christmas Tree. This 70-year tradition includes a soloist who sits atop the tree, wearing a white robe while receiving a spotlit solo event. For those who have served, it’s been one of the more memorable events of their high school career.
In 1956, the first star, Jean (Spilker) Bergstrom, a soprano, sang Ava Maria. Nip Shepard had a tenor solo, while L’Jeane (Wohler) Mugler, also a soprano, sang Gloria In Excelsis. Years later, Mugler’s daughter went on to top the tree. Other generations have passed down the tradition to longtime Clay Center residents and newcomers alike. Each must audition to earn the role.
For current vocal teacher, Kara Bergsten, students are required to be a senior and enrolled in Tiger Chorale. They choose a song of choice and audition for her in the first week of November.
“It’s difficult to choose,” she said. “Whoever you pick, it’s going to be a significant moment.” She said talent is the main factor, though preparedness also comes into play. “I remember auditioning, and I was very sad when I wasn’t the top but it’s a character-building experience. It’s a good life lesson to be able to handle that in a tactful way and not have a bad attitude. I tell them that every year.”
When Ken Lang served in her role, between 1979 and 2004, he chose a song that all who wanted to audition would sing. Then he’d record them to come back and tune in to fine points.
“Whoever I thought did the best, they got the job,” he said. “Anybody that was willing would work on the song.” Lang, who sat atop the tree in 1965, also saw one of his three daughters serve as star. “They all did choir and they all auditioned. I said ‘You know how it is when the coach’s son is the quarterback. If you win this job, it’s because you were much, much better. If it was close I probably wouldn’t have picked them. That’s how it was in my house.”
Under Lang’s tenure, three students topped the tree for two years. Martyn’s saw two double stars, while Stephanie (Casper) Grinage topped the tree three times, once under Martyn and twice under Lang, years 1978-1980.
New to the school her freshman year, Grinage said she joined choir and narrated for the Singing Christmas Tree.
“I became much more involved that way then auditioned the next year. I was honored and really humbled by the opportunity; there were a lot of talented singers,” she said. “It was marvelous and a wonderful memory.”
Grinage, who now lives in Nevada, said she went on to participate in choir through college, though today her only singing is in the shower.
“I never felt unsafe at the top of the tree, but I will say it was an interesting structure that took some agility. Once you were seated it was ok but getting to the top was not a straightforward climb.”
Another student to top the tree for multiple years was Joneen (McDonald) Schoning, under Jim Martyn’s direction. She took the honor 1959 and 1960, who also served in the Tiger Chorale.
“What was nice about the Tiger Chorale is you could wear nice things and you got to sing popular music, so that was awesome.”
Schoning said she also took vocal lessons from Martyn all four years of high school.
“If you wanted to be a majorette – which I did – you had to play an instrument, so I did that for a few years,” she said. “I started with the saxophone and thought that would be fun then the clarinet but I didn’t think that was much fun either. If you have a gift, use it and singing was mine. Instruments were not.”
Schoning recalled Martyn as being her favorite teacher and that she continued to exchange letters with him until his death, then later with his family. She also sang in a girls’ trio and is still in touch with the other two members.
“Right now, I wonder how I ever got up that high and sang but I did,” she said. “I just kind of stuck with it and enjoyed it.”
1956: Jean (Spilker) Bergstrom; 1957: Buenta (Myers) Burger; 1958: Peggy (Wohler) Schulze; 1959/1960: Joreen (McDonald) Schoning; 1961: Marjorie (Vathauer) Marrs; 1962: David Bauer; 1963: Ruth (Schroeder) Weil; 1964: Phil Hoyle; 1965: Ken Lang; 1966: Jack Volkmann; 1967: Linda (Bauer) Henry; 1968: Toni (Cowing) Sims; 1969: Karen (Leidig) Meyer; 1970: Brenda (Davidson) Heeren; 1971: Jo (Anderson) Eisele; 1972: Michelle Kennelly; 1973: Peggy (Schurle) Houser; 1974: Steve Strom; 1975/1976: Paula (Roth) Schooley; 1977: Rose Scott; 1978/1979/1980: Stephanie (Casper) Grinage; 1981: Michelle (Carleton) Hunget; 1982: Teddi (Burger) Ward; 1983: Marabeth (Mugler) Conner; 1984: Carmen (Benninga) Raines; 1985/1986: Deb (Wichman) Barrett; 1987: Jim Lenk; 1988: Tracy (Thompson) Klaiver; 1989: Michele Swanson; 1990: Alicia (Anderson) Weir; 1991: Tammy (Macy) Perham; 1992/1993: Vanessa (Thompson) Thomas Coté; 1994: Carrie (Ford) Ficke; 1995: Jason Fox; 1996: Allison (Ryan) Abplanalp; 1997: Joey (Peterson) Neville; 1998: Luke Bauer; 1999: Kimberly (Lang) Dressman; 2000: Keisha (Sherwood) Strecker; 2001: Paige (Bauer) Taddiken; 2002: Kara (Taddiken) Watts; 2003: Jessica (Lenhart) Kern; 2004: Marty Boeschling; 2005: May (Davis) Mailman; 2006: Erin Tombaugh; 2007: Abby (Bauer) Stokebrand; 2008: Ryan Hershberger; 2009: Elizabeth (Clark) Mall; 2010: Brad Komar; 2011: Morgan Bradford; 2012: Catherine (Wichman) Rohovit; 2013: Andrea (Contreras) Rohlender; 2014: Amanda (Roth) Jameson; 2015: Jacob Blackburn; 2016: Emma Girton; 2017 Garrett Craig; 2018: Jerriann Holte; 2019: Cooper Coffman; 2020: Maddison Gorman; 2021: Addy Wichman; 2022: Mackenzie Weller; 2023: Jackson Henry; 2024: Tovah Catlin; 2025: Savanah Bloomdahl
