BY KAREN BOSSICK

More than a dozen Wood River Valley adults and youth recently took part in the Senate Memorial Service, which is held every year on President’s Day.

State Sen. Ron Taylor of Hailey was chosen to chair the event by the Pro Tempore of the Senate. And Wood River High School choral instructor Max Stimac took a dozen young women in the high school’s Colla Voce group to perform.

They opened the service with “Wind Beneath My Wings,” accompanied by R.L. Rowsey on piano and concluded the service with “What a Wonderful World” as Blaine County School Superintendent Jim Foudy, Assistant Superintendent Adam Johnson  and Bellevue Elementary Principal Mark Sauvageau looked on.

And they didn’t stop there. Following the ceremony, the girls, while awaiting their Capitol tour guide, broke into song on the first floor rotunda, singing several songs to the delight of visitors and legislators throughout the building.

“They were the hit of the day, and people are still commenting on how wonderful they were,” said Taylor. “Watching them perform was truly magical. I was so proud of them.”

The Senate Memorial Service is conducted every year to recognize and memorialize state senators who passed away the previous year, Taylor said. This year, the late senators Sally Snodgrass, Ann Rydalch and Mark Nye were honored.