Kinnelon Student Honored For Outstanding Vocal Talent

KINNELON, NJ — A student from Kinnelon was one of several honored by the Mayo Performing Arts Center as an October Music Student Of The Month for being an outstanding vocalist.

Caitlin Chien, a 12th grader from Kinnelon High, was honored on stage before the Oct. 17 concert at Mayo PAC. All the students were nominated by their teachers and chosen by Mayo PAC's education department. At the end of the year, all honored students will be invited to perform in a recital.

Here is what teacher Charles Linnell had to say about Caitlin Chien:

Caitlin is in her fourth year as a member of the KHS Advanced Choir, the Chamber Singers. Since her first days in high school choir, she has always set herself apart as a leader with consistently excellent choral skills. That leadership was formalized when she was elected to the choir council as a junior (which rarely occurs) and again as a senior. Caitlin was also recently appointed a co-director of the student-directed contemporary acapella ensemble at Kinnelon High School.

1st row (L-R): Avery Harrington Grade 8, Brooklawn Middle School; Parsippany. Catherine Herbes, Grade 8, Mendham Township Middle School; Mendham. Ava Capetta, Grade 8, Rockaway Valley School; Boonton. Kayla Marvin, Grade 8, Mt Olive Middle School; Budd Lake. Whitney McDonnell, Grade 11, Morristown Beard School. Emma Stark, Grade 8, Black River Middle School; Chester. 2nd row: Saira Alam Grade 12, West Morris Mendham High School; Mendham. Mollie Anger Grade 7, Pequannock Valley Middle School; Pompton Plains. Caitlin Chien Grade 12, Kinnelon High School; Kinnelon. Cassidy Davis Grade 8, John Hill School; Boonton. 3rd row: Kevin Gilroy Grade 11, Hanover Park High School; East Hanover. Casey Obaytek, Grade 12, Jefferson Township High School. Lars Olsen, Grade 11, West Morris Central School, Chester.