Over the past four years, Sierra Vista High School (SVHS) students significantly contributed to the growth of the SV Beats program. The current seniors of SV Beats began their last month of high school. Shane Gibson, the SV Beats teacher, helped students showcase their creativity and lyricism in their music. The SV Beats members organized several events, including “First Friday ” at The Art District and Springfest at SVHS. Despite being the seniors affected by COVID their freshman year, they pushed through to make the program progress the way it did.
During COVID, freshmen Gio Carson and Tayven Stipp joined SV Beats. Carson mentions, “In the beginning, I was just trying to figure out my placement and the program’s placement as well. Mr. Gibson had to rebuild it to what it was before COVID-19 hit. I think we helped accomplish that, considering we went from playing music in the quad to First Friday and the MLB stadium.” Although COVID presented a challenge, Mr. Gibson and his students worked together to revive the program. Stipp adds, “The program has become more successful. Coming back from COVID was a significant hurdle to overcome, but we did it.” Not all students joined during their freshman year. Marco Mencias, for instance, joined the beginner SV Beats class in his sophomore year, moved up to advanced in his junior year, and been a part of the program ever since. “It helped me grow and become more social. Performing on stage is a passion I discovered through the program and I love it more than anything,” said Mencias. Regardless of when someone joins the program, it helps many students grow musically and discover their interests.
Now, SV Beats says goodbye to the graduating 2024 seniors: Gio, Jolie, Bobo1hunnid, Tayven, Quin, Zo, Marco, and Devi. Giovanni Carson shared, “It’s really sad. This program was like a home away from home, and it was always a comfortable environment for me. SV Beats was like the crutches into the music industry. Mr. Gibson taught us everything, including how to produce and record vocals.”
Although many SV Beats students leave this year, the program will continue. Several underclassmen became eager to take their place. Carson adds, “I see potential in some of our underclassmen in both advanced and beginning classes. Our advanced class has already improved significantly since the start of the year, and our beginning class has the potential to become an artist and find their place in the music industry.” Gibson offers students the opportunity to pursue an exceptional career. He helped them develop their sound and find their way to their dreams. Seniors such as Tayven Stipp will pursue a career in music. Stipp states, “I am going to UNLV to study audio engineering, and I plan to become a live or studio engineer, and I will still make my own music on the side. Music will never leave my life.” Gio Carson also plans to continue in the music industry. Carson said, “I have been working on many songs and EPs to drop after I graduate. I have been building several connections with people to help grow and find my way into the industry.”
The time to bid farewell to 2024 seniors arrived, Their contribution to SV Beats grew the program as a whole. With their hard work and dedication to music, these seniors made several songs and developed their sound majorly. They contributed to numerous events, from small in school pep rallies to DJing at the airport for EDC. The class of 2024 showed their talent in multiple ways and helped change SV Beats for the better.
