It can be terrifying to perform on stage by yourself in front of an auditorium full of high school students. The nerves can cause people to mess up and embarrass themselves. But Highland junior Nellie Campbell made it look easy.
Campbell performed two songs while playing her guitar in the talent show on Friday and blew everyone away with her voice. So, it was no surprise when she got first place.
Campbell was last seen singing songs on stage in a pizza restaurant back in December, so sharing her voice with others is not something she’s new at.
“I like performing so I thought [the talent show] would be just a fun experience, and there wasn’t really anything at stake,” Campbell said.
Her voice was very strong back then and even stronger now as it sent chills through the audience.
After her first song, Worn Me Down by Rachael Yamagata, Campbell earned a very well-deserved standing ovation from the audience and judges.
Campbell chose that song because not only does she love it, but she shares that love with her mom.
When the auditorium calmed down, Campbell voiced her surprise, saying how she wasn’t expecting that level of applause and how everyone was very kind to support her like that.
When Campbell announced she would be singing a second song, the crowd once again went wild as they clapped and cheered.
The auditorium became very still and silent as Campbell began singing her second song, Blowin’ in the Wind by Bob Dylan, and once again sent chills through the crowd.
Although Campbell couldn’t contribute to the walk-out like how she wanted too, singing “Blowin’ in the Wind” was her way to show support for the current events of the world.
Her performances were so exceptional that the audience treated them as a concert as everyone put their phone flashlights all the way up and began swaying them back and forth.
Campbell was on such a roll that even when she messed up the lyrics at one point, the crowd started cheering and whooping as she got back on track and finished the song strongly.
With tears in her eyes, Campbell thanked everyone again as the crowd gave her a second well-deserved standing ovation, and the clapping didn’t stop until she walked backstage.
