WEST POINT, Ala. – West Point High School’s Scholars Bowl team hosted a fundraising concert in the school auditorium Jan. 17, featuring a rising local band led by one of the school’s own students. The event showcased Raine, fronted by 17-year-old Sophie Henry, daughter of the team’s coach, Lee Henry.
The concert raised funds to support the Scholars Bowl team as it prepares to return to the National Academic Quiz Tournaments (NAQT) Small School National Championship Tournament (SSNCT) in April in Chicago.
Raine blends rock, country and original music into an energetic live show shaped by a wide range of influences. Sophie Henry said bands like Paramore and Journey have played a major role in shaping her sound, while her upbringing exposed her to a range of genres.
“We decided on that mix because everyone likes different kinds of music,” she said. “My mom loves country, my dad loves rock and I’m kind of a blend of both.”
The band officially formed over the summer and includes Eric Figueroa, Timothy Bolin, Brady Smith and Lee Henry, who returned to the stage after decades away from performing.
“She wanted to have her own band instead of always singing with house bands,” Lee Henry said. “She’d played with some of these guys before, and then she was sweet enough to ask her old dad to get back on stage.”
Sophie Henry began performing professionally at age 13 in Nashville, where she played four-hour sets and gained experience well beyond her years. Her father said she has already logged more stage time than many musicians twice her age.
Saturday’s performance marked the band’s first show of the year and its first all-ages concert. Henry said the goal was not only to raise money, but also to create a fun, welcoming experience for the community. “I hope people take away the memories,” she said. “I hope they have fun and enjoy being together.”
The fundraiser also gave audience members a closer look at scholars bowl, an academic competition that pits teams against one another in fast-paced matches covering science, history, math, literature and pop culture. The West Point team won a national championship last year and is working to return to the national championship this spring.
Raine’s upcoming performances are already in the works at local venues. The band hopes to book multiple shows this year and expand its presence across the region. “We’d play every weekend if we could. This isn’t just a garage band. These are talented musicians who know what they’re doing,” Lee Henry said.
