Moments: Staging It

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Eddie Celt, 15, freshman, after singing “My Sharona

“I was really kind of nervous for that, but I did it anyways. It felt a little bit nerve wracking, but I loved it. I don’t mind being on stage if I’m doing singing or acting. I really like being on stage because I like seeing the audience facing me. I do sing by myself. I sing like *NSYNC songs, Cypress HillMichael Jackson, Jackson 5 as well. If I’m honest about me … having Down syndrome is hard. I’m saying that because I don’t think it holds me back.”

– Interview by Blu Midyett, photo by Momoko Baker

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Pan Aalto, 14, freshman, after singing “Hallelujah

“I’ve gone through some struggles, and with having music and theater I’ve really been able to open up to others. I recently came out as being trans-male and being gay. Having music and theater is like a light that’s an opportunity for me to feel better. It was really comforting to have people tell me that it was good and that they wanted to hear me again.”

– Interview by Toli Tate, photo by Finn Hawley-Blue

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Aujai Webster, 17, senior, after rapping the theme to “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” TV show

“I liked how a lot of people weren’t afraid to get up on stage and sing a song that they liked and how people were being fearless and dancing and stuff like that. I feel like people became friends that night because they were singing together. I sung the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air theme song – it’s one of my favorite raps, and I love that show. I had to sing it on stage.”

– Interview by Momoko Baker, photo by Finn Hawley-Blue

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Yuri Petty, 17, senior, after singing “Fire Meet Gasoline

“It’s fun to be in an environment where you can sing, but there isn’t that much pressure. I’m not the best singer in the world, and I’m kind of sensitive about that. The club does a good job of keeping Karaoke Night casual, and that’s how it is supposed to be.”

– Interview by Toli Tate, photo by Finn Hawley-Blue

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The Grant Magazine is a hybrid publication, comprised of a 36 page monthly news magazine and this website. It is put out and run by a small staff of students from Grant High School in Portland, Oregon.

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