Cortland (WSYR-TV) - Country superstar Trisha Yearwood has played in Central New York several times, but never in a venue like this. Tuesday, she gave a concert in an elementary school gymnasium to bring attention to the importance of education and the arts.
The Grammy Foundation and Campbell's Soup's Labels for Education brought Trisha Yearwood to Cortland's St. Mary's Elementary School. It was the grand prize in a nationwide contest, entered by the mother of two St. Mary's pre-school students.
"They're a little young, but they're very excited," said Jessica Verfuss, who won the contest. "They woke up today and said 'it's Trisha Yearwood Day!'"
The three-time Grammy winner sang a couple of songs, including her first big hit, "She's in Love with the Boy." She also answered questions from students in a panel discussion and at a general assembly.
One student asked, "How long have you known you wanted to sing?"
"As a 5-year-old," she responded, "I wanted to be Cher."
"It was my first concert!" said sixth-grade student Anna Brown. "She was wonderful!"
"Usually my audiences are older than my songs," Yearwood joked.
Yearwood urged students to find something they love and follow their passions. Do that, she said, and dreams really will come true, just like hers.
After the show, Labels-for-Education left behind 100,000 bonus points, to help buy musical instruments, arts supplies and athletic equipment for the school.
