Goreville's Shelton gives impromptu singing performance

<p class="p1">A lost CD at a recent Chester volleyball match turned into a great opportunity for a Goreville player.

<p class="p1">On September 15, Chester hosted the Lady Blackcats at Colbert Gymnasium. The junior varsity contest had finished and the varsity teams had completed warmups as is routine.

<p class="p1">CHS senior Jackie Hopkins announced the starting lineups and both teams lined up as usual for the playing of the National Anthem.

<p class="p1">On a rare occasion an individual may do the honors and sing the national anthem. Otherwise, CHS staff working at the scorer's table will play the anthem utilizing the gym's public address system CD player.

<p class="p1">On this night, the usual pause soon became awkward when nothing happened. Both teams stood in awkward silence.

<p class="p1">Some players giggled a bit, while others seemed embarrassed. Members of the audience looked around in wonderment and everyone seemed to question why there was no national anthem being played or performed.

<p class="p1">Just when both teams and coaches began to move toward their respective benches, a young Goreville junior varsity player, sophomore Sydney Shelton, got up from her seat where she was preparing to take stats.

<p class="p1">Shelton slowly walked over to the scorer's table, took the microphone and began to sing the national anthem.

<p class="p1">She ended with a forceful climax and appeared to be relieved once her impromptu solo had finished.

<p class="p1">Barely a second had passed after her last note was finished when the entire gymnasium burst into a loud round of applause.

<p class="p1">Goreville coach Heather Goelz was asked if the performance was planned or if the young player just took it upon herself to "step up and save the day."

<p class="p1">"We were all lined up and ready to honor America as we always do when the national anthem is played," she said. "Our girls were standing right in front of the scorer's table and we could hear a discussion going on among the personnel at the table.

<p class="p1">"We heard them say that the national anthem CD could not be found. Just about the time that it was decided to skip the tribute, I told them that I had a player that would probably sing solo without accompaniment."

<p class="p1">Shelton is the daughter of Tricia and Mike Shelton, a Goreville cheerleader, member of Beta Club, Future Business Leaders of America and is vice president of her sophomore class.

<p class="p1">She also plays clarinet in the school's band.

<p class="p1">"Sydney did not hesitate," Goelz said. "She got up, walked over to the table, took the microphone and began to sing.

<p class="p1">"I was so proud of her. I knew she could do it."

<p class="p1">Goelz noted that Shelton is playing volleyball for the first time and told her that her most difficult performances are when she sings the national anthem.

<p class="p1">But she is honored every time she sings it.

<p class="p1">"Her dream is to attend (New York University) after high school and she wants to eventually sing on Broadway," Goelz said.