Wake County Schools Superintendent Tony Tata singled out "American Idol" winner Scotty McCreery for praise today.
During his weekly news briefing, Tata congratulated McCreery, 17, a Garner High School junior, for Wednesday night's win. Tata also took the opportunity to get in some praise for the school system's music programs.
"We’re all very proud of Scotty and all that he represents," Tata said. "He’s a role model for all of our students and indeed for all of us as he has demonstrated poise, courage and talent under pressure. Scotty’s success is just another example of how our music and arts programs, as well as our athletic programs, afford opportunities to all of our children so they can aspire to achieve their dreams.
The graduations, the state championships and one of our student’s fantastic success on the national stage should remind us all why we are were. Which is to help our students to succeed."
McCreery showed some appreciation for what he learned in Wake when he invited Meredith Covington Clayton, his Garner High music teacher, to Hollywood for the finale.
Clayton got a special surprise on the live show - a new car as part of a Ford promotion to honor the teachers of the finalists.
Clayton also has a connection to the Triangle's previous "Idol" finalist - her mother, Diane Covington, taught music to Clay Aiken when he was a student at Raleigh's Leesville Road High School. Aiken finished second in Season 2 of "Idol."
Comments
Music Discipline- well
Sat, 05/28/2011 - 10:05 — may1959Music Discipline- well said!!!
Music discipline
Fri, 05/27/2011 - 21:56 — SDR256I studied music with some of the premier teachers available. Intense music study taught me invaluable lessons about perseverance and opening up yourself to possibilities. I can only imagine the transformation that Scotty has had to weather in the last 4 months.
I was at the RBC center with my two youngest - upon their insistence - and was enveloped in the pride of North Carolina. This was a once in a lifetime moment and I'm so glad to have shared it with @ 12,000 other North Carolinians. Scotty's positive energies just shined through to everyone. Garner, I know you're still beaming.
We are all so proud of a great North Carolina boy with talent who showed how his family, his community and his beliefs shaped him into someone that everyone admires.
and Sideburns and Agent
Fri, 05/27/2011 - 20:19 — prescott2and Sideburns and Agent can't resist an opportuntity to mix apples and oranges. Thank you Superintendent Tata for recognizing Wake's excellent music, arts and athletics programs taht offer so much to our students. Hope the GA's cost cutting doesn't make these programs a victim of short-sightedness.
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Fri, 05/27/2011 - 16:10 — SideburnsGosh, now Cash Michaels won't have anything to complain about this week.
Don't sell ....
Fri, 05/27/2011 - 17:59 — AgentPierceDon't sell Cash Michaels short. Cash ALWAYS has something to complain about. "Complain about" is what Cash does even when there isn't anything to complain about..