Droves upon droves pile into the gymnasium, chatting as the assembly completes its final preparations. The restless crowd’s stir comes to a sudden silence as the music that was once blasting through the gym fades out, and freshman Cordeliah Degher takes the stage as all watching stand in observance.

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Coming from a musically inclined family, Degher says she has been singing as long as she can remember. Not only performing in the Battle of the Bands, the assembly, and tonight’s varsity basketball game, Degher and her father have also been working on a collection of completely original songs she has written that plans to release on an EP in the next few months.

After having won this year’s Battle of the Bands, Degher was personally contacted by ASB department head Rod Keillor to perform the National Anthem. “I just love to sing and it sounded like a great opportunity,” said Degher

“The day before [during rehearsals] I was really nervous, but it ended up being really fun… [During the assembly] all I was thinking about was the high notes and that I needed to give it my all,” Degher said.

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As she hits the last note, the crowd goes wild with excitement, their cheers echoing off the walls. Degher calmly walks from the center stage to take her seat, and the rest of the assembly resumes.