Cheyenne Wright just wants to sing. In fact, the Hamilton High School junior loves the idea of opening her mouth and crooning out a ballad or even something more contemporary. She has done just that since age 12, when she won a contest that sent her off to perform at “Showtime at the Apollo.”
The best thing about Wright’s singing, is that she’s good–her first place win at the Apollo says so. Now, this Saturday, she is teaming up with classmate Rio to perform an original song the rapper wrote. The duo will compete against students from 23 other high schools, which are part of the Los Angeles Unified School District Beyond the Bell Take Action Leadership Program. The idea is to get more students involved in the after-school program by providing activities such as performing arts, poetry, writing, visual arts, media art, music, civic participation and volunteerism. Wright is involved in the performing segment.
Fremont High junior Shareef Woodward will also be at Saturday’s event, which takes place on the lot of Paramount studios. Although in the past he has been involved in every aspect of the afterschool program, including exhibiting his paintings, this time Woodward will be an audience member and a representative from the Beyond the Bell Leadership Program.
