Standout Student at Armstrong Finds Music at Young Age

Senior Julia MacFarlane believes singing in a choir is about creating something beautiful. “It’s a shared experience and it can move you to tears or make you the happiest person on earth,” says the 17-year old from New Hope. This year Julia is the soprano section leader of concert choir, but she stood out as a big presence in the Chamber Singers as well as the theater programs at Armstrong High School. In the spring of 2017, she had a role in three theatrical performances. “She’s done great work on the stage in a variety of productions,” says choral director Stephanie Trump. “We really push her to take on whatever challenges she wants or is interested in and she’s taken on all of them.”

Julia is also an AP student on Link Crew, involved in Spanish Immersion and has served as captain of the color guard for two out of her four years on the team. She’s involved with her church and has worked part time as a barista. “Her level of dedication and her good attitude are the unspoken truths about Julia,” says Trump. “I think the word ‘integrity’ is the best. When you think about the model or the stereotype of a great kid, that’s Julia.” After high school, Julia plans to stay involved with music as she studies elementary education and Spanish at Wheaton College. One day, Julia hopes to teach overseas and become a missionary.

Delane Cleveland, reporting