By Arpa BONYADIAN

Clark Magnet H.S. students and teachers cheered as 16-year-old singer/songwriter Madison McWilliams entered the stage in the school cafeteria during lunch on Oct. 15. The room was packed – all the chairs taken ¬– and students and teachers were forced to stand for the performance. The teenage singer, along with two dancers, performed three songs, ending with her recent hit “Living for the Weekend.”

Originating from Austin, Texas, McWilliams began singing and playing piano at a young age, improving over the years passed. Releasing her first song in 2016, “Smell the Roses,” she continued writing and performing songs and today has a total of five releases.

Many students at Clark hadn’t heard of McWilliams before they saw posters of her plastered throughout the school. They didn’t know exactly what to expect.

“I thought her voice was amazing, very talented,” said junior Sona Keshishyan. “I have no doubt she will become more famous as she gets older.”

Others shared her opinion.

“Even though I couldn’t understand what she was saying in her songs most of the time, I really enjoyed the music and her voice,” said junior Gabrielle Scott after hearing McWilliams perform.

McWilliams’ performance was also part of a much more important topic – voting – that was directed toward students still in high school. She performed in support of the voting organization HeadCount, which registers teenagers ages 16 and up so they can vote as soon as they turn 18.

“I am definitely thinking about registering with HeadCount now,” Keshishyan said.

Photos by Lois RAMILO

  Arpa BONYADIAN