SHS senior sings at state

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The Star Spangled Banner or National Anthem is one of the most recognized songs in America. It’s sung at every athletic event from t-ball to professional football. Everyone knows the tune and most of the words.

Those who sing the National Anthem are usually critiqued on their performance. That didn’t bother Emma Lowther.

Lowther, a senior at Seward High, was selected to sing The Star Spangled Banner at the state unified bowling championships Dec. 5.

“It was a cool experience,” she said. “I hadn’t heard of unified bowling before. It’s cool how they take in kids with special needs.

“It opened my eyes to a new experience.”

Plus, she had to sing.

The state tournament was at Sun Valley Lanes in Lincoln. Lowther said the acoustics were good and the space was nice to sing in. A light show played behind her, timed to the pace of her audition. Organizers had pins roll for a drumroll effect, she said.

Lowther said she wasn’t really nervous.

“It was more casual than I expected,” she said.

Organizers explained the set-up ahead of time, which helped Lowther be more comfortable and prepared for the background lights and noise.

To be selected to sing the National Anthem, musicians record themselves singing the song and submit the recording to the Nebraska School Activities Association. The recordings were due Oct. 1. Judges listened to all 200 audition tapes and selected 35 to sing at state championships throughout the school year.

“You are just a number,” Lowther said. “It’s completely blind. I felt like that gave everyone a fair chance.”

She auditioned last year, too, but was not selected. This year, Seward High had five singers chosen, and Lowther was the first to find out.

“It made me really happy,” she said.

As a senior, Lowther is looking ahead to college and has been accepted at both Concordia University in Seward and Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln. She plans to study K-12 music education, with both band and vocal programs.

“I’ve always wanted to be a teacher,” she said.

In addition to singing, Lowther plays the French horn in the high school band.

She said being able to sing at the state unified bowling tournament helped her start thinking about how special needs students can be included in music programs.

“It broadened my horizons,” she said.