Bloomington High School North, Nikean, 2011, Page 156

Description:	Singing itHer WayOne students journey to finding herIn a moment the crowd goes silent. A student takes a deepbreath, grasps the microphone and begins to sing. She singsof stars and stripes gallandy strearning, of bombs bursting inthe air and of the land of the free and the home of the brave.Her notes cany out to the audience, bringing oppositionwith them, but soon drift much farther. As melody sweeps acrossthe nation it brings a tune of controversy. Soon a simple means ofexpression by one high school student causes a country to retliinkdie meaning behind one very important song.Sophomore Shai Warfield-Cross has been singing the national anthem at many school athletic events for some time now. Drawinginspiration from idols such as Jenifer Hudson, Christina Augilleraand Destinys Child, Warfield-Cross performed the anthem withher own spin. It wasnt until recendy, at a boys basketball gameagainst Martinsville, that she ran into protest of her rendition of thecountrys anthem. Claiming that while the words remained Que,the notes were unrecognizable, some fans strongly voiced their disapproval of her style. However, Warfield-Cross believes differendyTts part of creativity Warfield-Cross said, I dont think theres aset way to sing it.Warfield-Cross described the while reactions from the publicwere mixed, there was a lot of harsh, negative feedback. This feedback was hard for her to receive.We almost had to move, Warfield-Cross said. People sent somereally bad things, a lot of it racially instigated.The media as well as the nation took great attention to Warfield-Crosss story. Soon stories of the singing teen reached California,Boston, even New York for an appearance on NBCs Good MorningAmerica.However, Warfield-Cross was able to overcome the hurtfulresponse.A lot of people talked to me and told me mat some people justthink differendy, Warfield-Cross said. You just have to know whoto block out and who to listen to.Despite the ups and downs, Warfield-Cross feels her song is animportant one to hear. Althoughit brought her hurt and manytough obstacles, in the end she found strength.Its been rough but I tiiink it has made me a stonger person,Warfield-Cross said.Story by Rose Cowannaa
Source:	http://cdm17129.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/hs-bloomnorth/id/7150
Collection:	Bloomington High School North

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