senior Rachael Cisto, of Oxford, has been selected to participate in the Connecticut Music Educators Association All-State Music Festival.
To attain this goal, Rachael had to successfully complete a two-step audition process, first competing against the most talented musicians in Southern Connecticut and then against the best singers in the entire state. Rachael did extremely well at both auditions and is looking forward to participating in the three-day music festival in April at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford.
This year marks Rachael’s second appearance at the All-State festival, she was also selected in 2011.
“Rachael is a multi-talented musician; she has a beautiful voice, and she is also a talented violinist and tenor saxophone player,” shared music instructor Christopher Härtel. “She came to Sacred Heart four years ago brimming full of talent, and it has been great to watch her mature and hone her skills. She certainly has a future in music, should she choose to pursue it.”
In addition to music, Rachael enjoys playing volleyball. A three year starter on Varsity, she was captain of her team this year and received several post season honors including being selected to the 2011 Class M All-State Girls Volleyball Second Team, the New Haven Register All-Area team and the Southern Connecticut Conference All Division Team (Quinnipiac).
Rachael has been a member of the SCC All-Academic team for the past 3 years and this year became a member of the SCC All-Star Academic Team. She was also selected to be a SCC Scholar-Athlete of the Month (November 2011). Outside of SHA, Rachael played on a Junior Olympic Volleyball team with CT Impact for the past two years.
Rachael has earned high honors all terms and is a member of the National Honor Society, World Languages Honor Society, Science Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society. She is a member of SHA Honors Choir, Concert Choir, Orchestra, and S.A.D.D. (secretary).
Rachael has been involved in Campus Ministry since her freshman year and is a member of the Campus Ministry Leadership Team (Heartbeat).
Rachael is the daughter of Richard and Laurie Cisto of Oxford.
Editor's Note: This news release came from Sacred Heart Academy.
