by Aundrea Cline-Thomas
NASHVILLE, Tenn.- Ten Nashville students are preparing for an opportunity of a lifetime. Each was specially chosen to fly to Washington to take part in a music program hosted by the White House called "In Performance at the White House: Red, White and Blues."
Even in Brittany Edwards wildest dreams, she could never fathom participating in this unique opportunity.
"You're going to Washington and I was like no I'm not," Edwards recounted about learning she was chosen from her Principal Bob Wilson. "I just couldn't really believe it. It's unbelievable."
Brittany is one of three students at the Nashville School of the Arts and ten students in the entire district who are going to Washington DC to learn more about the origins and history of the blues.
"I'm very, very humble for that," Nashville School of the Arts student Austin Valentine added. "I'm very, very thankful that I get this opportunity."
They will join the President and First Lady at the White House for performances by music legends including Mick Jagger, B.B. King and Jeff Beck.
"Seeing Michelle Obama," Edwards said, "she's like a celebrity. Just seeing her is just like enough."
"I told the students they're probably going to have to take care of me more than I'm taking care of them," Principal Wilson said. "They'll be saying Principal Bob calm down."
Only 120 students across the country were hand-picked to participate.
"It really makes me feel like I'm doing something right," Edwards said. "Or I'm going places in life. It's really like an eye opener for me."
An experience they hope will shed new light on their dreams and could teach them that anything is possible.
During their trip students will attend workshops, meet with Congressional leaders and tour various sites in D.C. When they come back they have to share what they've learned with students at their schools.
Students and their chaperones will leave on Sunday morning. The trip is free because everything from their airfare to hotel has been donated.
Here's a complete list of all of the students:
Pearl-Cohn Entertainment Magnet High School
Dominique Y. Trotter
Chelsea D. Byrd
Leona L. Turner
Overton High School
Kaitlyn E. Edwards
Edwardo Alegria
Nashville Schools of the Arts
Aaron Bell
Brittany Edwards
Austin Valentine
McGavock High School
Maria C. Artavia
James C. Johnson
Maria C. Artavia
James C. Johnson
Email: acline-thomas@newschannel5.com
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