While sitting in chapel at Los Banos Adventist Elementary School one day last fall, eighth-grader Kaitlyn Turner thought about the singing. “It would be cool to have a student praise band,” she shared with friend Emily Latronica.

“One of our teachers leads the music with only one guitar,” said Turner.

“We could help with chapel,” added Latronica, who, like Turner, plays guitar and sings.

The girls approached their principal and teacher Lisa Kemp, who wholeheartedly supported the student-led idea. Sixth-grade and choir teacher Chris Perez got involved to help with music selection and auditions and is the unofficial manager.

Enthusiasm grew as word spread to the fifth through eighth grade classes. The audition selection panel included Turner and Latronica, plus two friends, Abby del Rio and Kristalynn Morello.

“We ended up not turning down anyone,” says Turner. “They could all play [an instrument] and sing.” The group has 15 members.

“I think the school is totally awesome,” Turner says. I love it so much here. It’s like a big family. I’d never have known how much God truly loved me unless I’d been here.”