Ellen Perkins, a senior at Lehighton Area High School, got quite a send-off Friday to participate in the National High School Honor Choir in Nashville.

Although the school has had many students make District Chorus and State Chorus (including Perkins) over the years, the 17-year-old student is the first ever selected for the national event.The National Choir is being held through Wednesday at the historic Grand Ole Opry.Perkins was surprised by a special performance on her behalf by the high school band and cheerleading squad, which composed a special cheer for her.Besides being a member of the school chorus, she is a member of the high school band. She was told the band was going to put on a special mini concert in the school auditorium. In the middle of the opening selection, she learned the event was in her honor.Perkins is the daughter of David Perkins of Breinigsville and Beth Hudlow of Lehighton.She was notified in late August of her selection to the honor choir.David Perkins, who is music director at Lehighton Area High School and director of the choruses, said in order to be considered and selected for the national event, the student must be chosen to the District Chorus, Regional Chorus, and All-State Chorus.He said the selection committee also considers student's final placement at All-State.Ellen is ranked fourth in the state on the alto 1 voice part. After accomplishing all the requirements last year, she had to complete a video audition performing a foreign language art song.She said she has been involved in music all her life. She was a member of the Pottsville Orchestra, has taken violin lessons, and at Lehighton Area High School is a member of the Show Choir, Sextet and Varsity Voices.Saying this is her first time visiting The Music City, she said, "It's an honor and I'm very excited."She is attending the event with her father."We're really proud of her," David said, saying he was speaking on behalf of the school district as well as a parent. "It's a very big accomplishment."Presently ranked fourth in the senior class, she is involved with her church choir at Hope of Christ Presbyterian Church. She has studied clarinet for the past eight years. Presently, she is studying clarinet at Lehigh University with Deborah Andrus.The National High School Honor Choir is sponsored by the National Association of Music Educators.The all-national honor ensembles represent the top performing high school musicians in the United States and from U.S. Military high schools overseas.This year, students selected will represent 46 states and there are five American students from Germany performing one of the ensembles. There will be a symphony orchestra, concert band, concert choir and a jazz band in Nashville.There are 36 students from Pennsylvania in the National Honor Choir.The Lehighton Area High School Choruses, under the direction of Perkins, have performed in California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Tennessee and Canada.Ellen plans to pursue a degree in music education and performance next fall.