Culleoka's EcLipse Show Choir and Blue Knights Drill Team made history this summer with a six-day trip to Hawaii.

In June, the EcLipse Show Choir, led by Kim Sutton, and the Blue Knights Drill Team, directed by Butch Sutton, were selected through auditions to perform at the USS Missouri and Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum in Honolulu. These talented groups have performed across the U.S., including Washington, Pennsylvania, New York, and Orlando. Their performances graced the decks of the aircraft carriers USS Intrepid and USS Yorktown while also entertaining leaders from 28 foreign countries at the NATO Parade of Nations in Virginia.

The trip, dubbed the “Paradise Performance Tour”, was a whirlwind of activities for the students. In addition to performing, they enjoyed a Pearl Harbor and city highlights tour, a visit to the Dole Plantation, a hike up Diamond Head, and a Polynesian Cultural Center experience, complete with an Ali’i Lū’au and the show HĀ: Breath of Life. They also went on a catamaran snorkel cruise, attended a beach BBQ, and took part in a sunset dinner cruise.

After months of preparation, rehearsals, and fundraising, the students were greeted at the airport with a traditional flower lei welcome.

Special thanks go to Performing Arts Consultants and Paradise Found Hawaii Tours for organizing the island excursions, as well as coordinating the travel arrangements.

Culleoka Principal Penny Love, the Maury County Board of Education, and Superintendent Lisa Ventura were also instrumental in making the trip happen, approving the plans. A huge thank you is extended to the Culleoka community, including parents, grandparents, family members, friends, teachers, and local businesses, for their financial support.

“These spring tours are more than just performance trips. They are transformative, unforgettable, and life-changing,” stated Culleoka Performing Arts and Blue Knights Directors Kim and Butch Sutton. “Whether it cultivates a love for travel, entertainment, patriotism, or leadership, we are empowering young minds to step into their destiny. The desire, discipline, and determination they exhibit will shape their future and the world around them. Observing the impact these trips have had over the past 10-plus years is awe-inspiring and incredibly rewarding as teachers and directors. We are blessed beyond measure."

Eclipse and the Blue Knights explore the historic Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum,learning about the pivotal role of aviation in World War II.
Back row (Left to Right): Kim Sutton, Logan Bardwell, Eli Dale, Kathryn Sims, Lilly Allred, Deaken Carson, Allie Hickman, Rachel Hickman, Logan Blade, Julie Hawkins, Savanna Rivera-Page, Butch Sutton.
Front Row (Left to Right): Zachary Brannon, Ryan Bytwerk, Hayden Hickman, Charles Fulghum, Emma Hickman, Andrew Garland

: Members of Eclipse, including Zachary Brannon, Rachel Hickman, Lilly Allred, Kathryn Sims, Allie Hickman, Hayden Hickman, Deaken Carson perform at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum during the Hawaii tour.

The Blue Knights, featuring Zachary Brannon, Logan Bardwell, Julie Hawkins, Ryan Bytwerk, Savanna Rivera-Page, Andrew Garland, Hayden Hickman, Emma Hickman, Eli Dale, Charles Fulghum, stand in front of the USS Missouri Memorial, paying tribute to those who served in the Pacific during World War II