NORTH FORSYTH — A group of high school students in Forsyth County sang their way through California to return to Georgia with top honors from the Heritage Festival in Anaheim.

Heritage Festivals hold competitions across the country throughout the spring and early summer, drawing hundreds of schools each year. They bring acclaimed adjudicators to critique and work with choirs, orchestras and bands in a performance setting.

The North Forsyth Chamber Singers received a first place gold award, and the North Forsyth Raider Chorale a second place gold award. Choral Director Gene Seese said he “could not be more proud” of his students.

The Chamber Singers also were named Outstanding Choral Group for earning the highest score in the competition. Adding to their accomplishments, they took home the Adjudicator’s Award, given to a select few ensembles recognized by judges for their excellence on stage.

Jill Short, a parent chaperone on the trip, noted the high level of professionalism the students showed while in competition. The choir won the Sweepstakes Award for posting the highest combined score.

Awards are handed out to each ensemble based on their adjudicated score — gold for superior, silver for excellent, bronze for good — and ranking against other ensembles in the same classification, including women’s choir, chamber choir or concert.

“The trip to Anaheim was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our students,” said Dawn Sosebee, another parent chaperone. “I loved seeing their talent put on display at the competition.”