SHILOH — “Congratulations to a group of very special young people,” a statement from Dorchester County Public Schools said last week. The North Dorchester High School students who were honored at the recent Board of Education meeting — Aiden Hayward, Rachel Widmaier, and Miranda Smith — were the only students from any Eastern Shore high school to win places in the 2021 Maryland All-State Chorus.”

This year’s auditions required an extraordinary level of student commitment, statement said. With no opportunities for the usual early morning, lunchtime, and after school practice, the students had to apply what they had learned, be extra motivated, and accept the responsibility to record themselves performing the musical selections.

“There will be no performance this year, no usual social aspect of staying in the hotel and making connections with musical friends, and these young people demonstrated exceptional maturity in persevering for this personal achievement,” the statement said. “This is a special year for another reason too. The Maryland All-State Chorus has a particular place in the heart of chorus teacher Sabra Steward, having been a member herself in 1968. Through the years, she has delighted in helping prepare NDHS students to win places in this honors ensemble. These seniors are the final group of students among the many she has coached to follow in her All-State footsteps as she is retiring at the end of this school year after 34 years of serving students in the northern part of the county. Thank you for the music, Ms. Steward!”