Pinewood’s a cappella group, Take Note, consists mainly of seniors like Daniel Blotter, Kate Cornyn,  Adam Fallick, Nate Martin, Emmett Smith,  Ashton Riches, and Teau Tongi. Over the past year, these singers have formed close connections with each other. 

“I joined because I loved how they were a community last year, and I wanted to be a part of it,” Riches said. 

Tongi agreed the most important things he has gained from Take Note are the friendships he made with classmates he did not speak to previously. Specifically, he recalled the first time he wrote a rap verse for one of the group’s songs and the comfort he felt from his teammates’ reactions.

“I could barely rap because I was so nervous,” Tongi said. “But, at the end of [the song], they were all staring at me, smiling so hard and so excited.”

Senior Riches emphasized the supportive companionships singing every week with a team can bring. 

“I get excited to come to practice every morning because there are people I feel safe around where we can do what we love,” Riches said. 

Because the seniors are graduating this year, Take Note will be left with a nearly empty roster. Their gratitude and best wishes are staying behind, however, to encourage the few remaining singers. 

“[They] are such core members of the group, and I know it will be in such good hands after the rest of us graduate,” Fallick said. 

After a year of early-morning practices three days a week, lunchtime rehearsals, and singing homework, Take Note’s seniors have contributed their strongest efforts to the team’s legacy. Though they will be parting ways for college, Fallick and Tongi will both bring their talent with them, as they plan to pursue singing as a major and a hobby respectively. 

“I love to sing, and I love hanging out with my friends, and we are obviously going to be going different ways,” Tongi said. “[Singing with them] is one big thing I’m gonna miss leaving schools.”