Laughter, sequins and jitters filled the air of the first show choir competition of the season. Last Saturday, Gretna East Equinox competed with their 2025-2026 show, The Summit, for the first time. By the end of the night, they were named Grand Champions, along with winning Best Choreography, Best Ballad and Best Vocals. Senior Eli Reinarz was also named Best Soloist.
“Our students had put in months of focused, intentional work and were well prepared,” show choir director Nathan Wallace said. “They knew exactly what was expected of them. At that point, it was simply about trusting their preparation and executing to the best of their ability on stage.”
While Wallace was confident, nerves radiated off the performers.
“I was really nervous that we didn’t realize the tough competition we were going to face,” sophomore Easton Poutre said. “However, I knew that Wallace had made sure we were prepared for the competition and that we just had to trust our training.”
Wallace was overcome with pride and joy after the announcement.
“I was thrilled with the results, especially knowing how much this meant to the students,” he said. “Seeing them receive recognition and validation for the hard work they’ve put in was incredibly rewarding. More than anything, I was proud of how they carried themselves—on and off the stage. They handled the weekend like champions, and that matters regardless of where we place.”
The same joy was echoed throughout the performers.
“When I heard the results, I was very surprised and excited,” Reinarz said. “I didn’t expect how great the results would be, but that added to my reaction. The first thing I did was hug all of my friends who were nearby. I was so proud of everybody, and I was proud of our show.”
The joy of the victory provided a sense of accomplishment and confidence for upcoming competitions.
“This competition made me feel a bit more confident about the upcoming ones,” Reinarz said. “You never really know how well you are going to do until you get out there and compete. You don’t ever get to watch your own show. However, we have a lot of work to do and a lot of difficult competitions coming up. All of the other groups are going to keep improving, so we have to do the same to keep succeeding.”
Although filled with joy, the work doesn’t even.
“We strongly believe that winning doesn’t make you a winner—consistency does,” Wallace said. “Our focus will remain on being consistent in our approach, mindset, and work ethic as we continue refining and improving the show.”
Rehearsals for The Summit began in July.
“Our approach to rehearsal stays consistent no matter the time of year,” Wallace said. “Whether it’s a Monday night rehearsal in September or the final rehearsal before our first competition, the mindset and expectations remain the same. We’ve established a strong set of standards, and I’m incredibly proud of how our students have committed to upholding—and continuing to raise—those standards throughout the season.”
This Saturday, Equinox will host their own show choir competition, Echoes of the East. They have been working tirelessly to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
“An event of this size truly takes a village, and I’m extremely grateful for the support of our families, staff, and administration,” Wallace said. “We’ll be hosting more than 1,300 student performers—before even accounting for their families and supporters—which makes this a really special and meaningful event for our school and community.”
