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The Tribune, Mesa, Ariz., Hayley Ringle Column: Young Mesa Anthem Winner Nets School $1,000

Posted on: Tuesday, 4 April 2006, 15:01 CDT

By Hayley Ringle, The Tribune, Mesa, Ariz.

Apr. 4--It wasn't the words Ashley Watson was afraid of messing up. It was the high pitch of the song.

The Mesa 12-year-old was the state winner for the National Anthem Project, which rolled through town last month in an effort to reteach Americans "The Star-Spangled Banner" and spotlight the importance of school music education.

"I was nervous because the song was high and I was afraid I would forget the key," Ashley said. "I didn't forget the words."

Ashley sang the anthem a cappella March 7 on a temporary stage at Mesa's Hohokam Stadium. She was judged on her vocal skills, her ability to engage the crowd, stage presence and, most importantly, if she could sing the correct words to the song.

According to the project, two out of three Americans don't know the words to the national anthem.

For winning the contest, $1,000 was donated to Ashley's school music program.

Ashley is a seventh-grader at Sequoia Choice Star Campus, a performing-arts charter school in Mesa.

Shelley Watson, Ashley's mom and principal of Sequoia Choice Star Campus, said the money will be used for muchneeded sound equipment and new music for Stars on Stage, the school's all-female traveling group of singers and dancers.

Ashley is part of the group, often singing the national anthem solo. Stars on Stage has a performance next month in Branson, Mo.

"Any opportunity these kids have to perform is another opportunity they have to gain self-confidence," the principal said.

The contest was special to Ashley because of a family friend, Alexandra "Allie" Thomas, who's in the U.S. Army stationed in Iraq.

The Apache Junction 19-year-old has been adopted by the school.

Students write her letters and send comfort packages.

Ashley dedicates her Stars on Stage performances to Thomas.

Winning contests and singing in front of people is something Ashley is used to. She's been singing since she was 3, and has won many talent contests and performed at women's clubs, expos and at Disneyland.

"I just like singing. It's just my thing," said Ashley, who wants to try out for "American Idol" as soon as she's old enough.

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Tribune, Mesa, Ariz.

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Source: The Tribune

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