GARNER, NC — Garner native Scotty McCreery will find out
this week if he is the next American Idol.
His special guest in the audience will be Meredith Clayton, his
choral director at Garner Magnet High School. Clayton has taught
Scotty since the 9th grade.
“He didn’t try to be different, but we knew from hearing him
sing in class that he was really talented, right away,” Clayton
said.
She remembers his performances in school plays and choir
competitions. Then and now, he impressed her with his mature voice.
But now that he is a finalist on “American Idol”, she can’t
critique him as a musician.
“I can’t do that,” Clayton said. “Because I love him and know
him, and knew him before this, I just feel overwhelmed with
pride.”
Most of all she feels proud of how he is handling the sudden
fame.
“I love the way he’s been so real about it all,” she said.
Clayton is traveling to California Tuesday to attend the
“American Idol” shows this week, where Scotty will find out if he
is this season’s winner.
“I’m humbled by this gift and I don’t feel deserving at all. But
I’m so excited to be there for him and to support him,” Clayton
said. “As a teacher, to see one of your students go through this on
this kind of level, it’s a blessing. Especially for it to happen to
a young man that is so deserving, and so good. I just feel
fulfilled. That’s the only word I can think of.”
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