ORLANDO BOUND — Steubenville High School sophomores Candace Hopple and Riley Weaver will attend the National Youth Conference Fine Arts Festival Aug. 4-8 in Orlando, following high scores received for their instrumental duet during the Ohio Fine Arts Festival in March. -- Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — Candace Hopple and Riley Weaver are sophomores attending Steubenville High School.

The duo recently competed in the Ohio Fine Arts Festival at the Christian Life Center in Dayton.

That competition, held March 28-29, has afforded them the opportunity to move on to compete in the National Youth Conference Fine Arts Festival in Orlando this summer.

The festival is provided through the Assemblies of God Youth Ministries, allowing students to discover and develop their artistic gifts and abilities.

Students can present or submit their entries in the categories of communication, drama, exhibition, instrumental, vocal or writing.

The SHS teens represented Word of Life Fellowship in Steubenville.

They earned an Award of Merit medal for their instrumental duet of the hymn, “It is Well with My Soul.”

Hopple played the clarinet, and Weaver, the flute.

Now, Hopple and Weaver will move on to the national festival to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando Aug. 4-8.

They will join thousands of middle- and high-school students from across the country.

The festival will features fine arts presentations, workshops, masterclasses and messages by world-class speakers.

Hopple stated this was her second time participating in the state event.

For Weaver, it was her first.

“It was through our church fellowship and called a Fine Arts Festival that happens every March,” Hopple said. “We went online to sign up and you can do as many categories as you want. I’ve gone since my eighth-grade year.”

“This was my first time,” Weaver added. “Candace inspired me.”

“Both of my parents have done the Fine Arts Festival since they were kids and they inspired me,” Hopple commented.

Weaver said churches across the state can participate.

Hopple noted between 200 to 300 people were in attendance.

The duo completed their instrumental ensemble, after which their performance was scored by three judges.

Criteria included style, tone and introduction.

The girls earned out of a possible 40 points, a score of 35, 35 and 38. They explained they were “nervous, but excited” about participating in the national event.

But for now, they will continue to make music as members of the SHS Band.

Both have been playing music since they were in the fourth grade. They are active in the high school Key Club and Rotary Club.

Hopple is the daughter of Josh and Tammy Hopple of Steubenville.

Weaver is the daughter of Robert and Kari Weaver of Steubenville.