The Tarkio Elementary fourth and fifth graders showed that rock and roll music is still alive and well by performing an “I LOVE Rock & Roll” program Thursday, April 2, 2026, in the Tarkio High School Auditorium.
Several of the students, including Lily Maupin in a Beatles shirt, wore attire celebrating some of the best rock ’n roll bands of all time.
The boys in sailor hats, including Asher Stepp at the microphone, explained how the term “rock and roll” originated – from 17th-century maritime slang describing a ship’s motion, later evolving in African American music to describe religious fervor and, by the 1950s, to label the emerging rhythm and blues genre.
Tarkio High School alum Donovan Jones played a number of tunes on the piano during the 4th and 5th grade performance of “I LOVE Rock & Roll” Thursday, April 2, 2026.
The Tarkio Elementary 4th and 5th graders brought rock and roll hits to the stage in their performance of an “I LOVE Rock & Roll” program held Thursday, April 2, 2026, in the Tarkio High School Auditorium. The students sang “Rock Around The Clock” from the 1950s, “Here Comes The Sun” from the 1960s, “Crocodile Rock” from the 1970s, “I Love Rock and Roll” and “Don’t Stop Believing” from the 1980s, and “The Middle” from the 2000s.
Fifth grade speakers were: Tiberius Baruth, Noah Hanseling, Brady Richards, Clark Navin, Asher Stepp, Diesyl Slemp, Holden Bruce, Jasper Thomas, Dani Burke, Phaelynn Williams, Lily Maupin, Harper McElhaney, Rayneigh Parsons, Makenna Nichols, Myla Stone, Harmunee Havrum, Ariana Robertson, Scarlett Gladman, Kiera England, Paxton Smith, and Elizabeth Lundy.
Fourth grade singers included Nola Bruce, Dakota Buchanan, Aiden Childers, Rylynn Comstock, Lyzzy Driskell, Haven Hogue, Damon Lambert, Cohen Lundquist, Zaiden Miller, Zoey Romines, Everett Scott, Ollie Shaw, Sage Sundermann, Marin Carson-Moreno, Izabella Childers, TayLynne Corbin, Brecklynn Lopez, Isaac Martin, Henry McCoy, Emalyn Miller, Luna Neeman, Kinslee Ohnmacht, Bennett Peregrine, Giovani Perez, Simon Piveral, Skylar Sportsman, Emmeline Vette, Kash Wheeler, and Jacob Wills.
The students were under the direction of music teacher Melody Barnett. Donovan Jones played the piano. Teachers are Kara Vette, Brooke Domingo, Erica Taylor, Baylee Ray, and Blu Dow.
