'Idol' Syesha Mercado returns to Booker High; vote Tuesday night!
Syesha Mercado shares the stage with Booker High School Principal Constance White-Davis at Booker High's VPA Theatre during her hometown visit Friday, May 9.
Thanks for voting Tuesday, May 6, for 2005 Booker High graduate Syesha Mercado on American Idol
Because of your votes, she made the Top Three and visited Sarasota and Booker High!
Keep voting Tuesday nights so Syesha can be the next American Idol
See footage of her visit on the Fox 13 Web siteSARASOTA - Current American Idol contestant Syesha Mercado, who continues to compete this week on the popular Fox TV series American Idol, honed her performing skills at Booker High School’s Visual & Performing Arts (VPA) program. On Friday, May 9, she visited the Tampa Bay area, including stops in Manatee County where she attended elementary and middle schools, and a triumphant return to Booker High in Sarasota.
As one of three remaining contestants in Season 7 of Idol, Mercado made a hometown visit accompanied by Fox crews. She arrived at Booker High in a convertible, walked down the red carpet to the VPA Theatre, and was greeted by Principal Constance White-Davis and students. On stage Mercado was honored by School Board Chairwoman Kathy Kleinlein, Superintendent-Elect Lori White and other district administrators, teachers, students and other well-wishers. She sang Gershwin's "Summertime," accompanied on piano by her former vocal teacher, Johnnie Mnich, and members of her local band. She also answered questions from Assistant Principal Sue Fair about her experiences at Booker High and on American Idol.
Mercado is a 2005 graduate of the school and its VPA magnet program, which provides intensive, specialized training for students from throughout Sarasota County with special talents in dance, music, television and media arts, theatre (performance and technical) and the visual arts. Mercado made a big impact on Booker High’s faculty during her academic career at the school.
“I was Syesha's voice teacher, music teacher, accompanist and music director while she attended Booker High,” said Johnnie Mnich, VPA theatre music director. “She is a tremendous talent and, above all, a wonderful person. I had the joy of watching her grow and hearing her voice develop into the stalwart instrument it has become. What is happening for her is thrilling for all of us who know her and love her.”
VPA theatre teacher Scott Keys said he was impressed with Mercado the first time he saw her perform. “From the moment Syesha auditioned for our program as an incoming eighth-grader, I knew there was something remarkable and special about this young woman. The way she carried herself, her depth of character, personal integrity and maturity were all astonishing for a girl of her age.
“Over the years I had the opportunity to work with Syesha on a number of different productions. She simply commands a stage. You cannot take your eyes off of her, because she creates from her soul and her heart. I am proud of her accomplishments and honored to have been her teacher and director.”
Other Booker teachers commented that Mercado was dedicated to excellence in all her studies, not just performing-arts classes.
“I had Syesha Mercado in her junior year for English III Honors,” said Sandra Yerkes, Booker High School English teacher. “She was a bright, enthusiastic and energetic student. One assignment I particularly remember involved students memorizing and reciting a poem of their choice. Syesha recited Maya Angelou’s ‘Phenomenal Woman.’ The class was so impressed they gave her a standing ovation. I knew by the end of her time in my class that she would be successful in anything she attempted.”
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