Ridgefield students selected for honor band

RIDGEFIELD — Eight students from Ridgefield High School were recently selected to join the elite North County Honor Band. They are freshman Olivia DesRochers; sophomore Caleb Coine; junior Natalie Smith; and seniors Sydney Dean, Samantha Fenton, Spencer Hess, Eli Holter, and Emma Schmidt. Applicants are chosen based on their musical accomplishments and their band director’s recommendation. They will perform in the Honor Band’s annual concert, free and open to the public, at 6 p.m. Feb. 1 at Hockinson High School. The North County Honor Band is made up of middle school and high school students from Hockinson, Prairie, Battle Ground, Ridgefield, La Center, Woodland, Camas and Washougal high schools. Two students were also selected for the Washington All-State Band and will perform with other honorees at the 2020 Washington Music Educators Association Honor Groups Concerts in Yakima in February. Samantha Fenton was selected for the Concert Band, and Emma Schmidt was selected for the Wind Symphony.