Ella Wu, a student from JSerra Catholic High School, was announced as the Grand Prize winner of the USA250-OC Theme Song Competition at a showcase and awards ceremony at the offices of the OC Department of Education on Saturday, June 6. Ella just completed her sophomore year and has been performing our national anthem at public events since she was eight years old.
Ella’s composition, titled “A Country For Us All,” earned a $1,000 cash prize, a Fender guitar, and an invitation to perform at the Pacific Symphony’s July 4 Spectacular concert at Great Park Live in Irvine.
The other award winners, who each received $500, included Emma Refael of Arnold O. Beckman High School (“America”), Ben Sriprapundh of Northwood High School (“Fantasia on a Theme by Francis Scott Key”), Sydney Gordon of Tesoro High School (“Red, White and Blue”), Christopher Rodriguez, Athan Smith and Destiny Delgado of Gilbert High School (“The Moment”), and Victor Noh and Devan Rosete of Sunny Hills High School (“Land of the Free”).
Scott Fitzpatrick, Arts Coordinator for the OC Department of Education, organized the contest which was co-sponsored by OC Music and Dance, USA250-OC and Fender. The June 6 event combined a songwriting workshop, student showcase, and awards ceremony, giving young musicians an opportunity to perform original works inspired by America’s semiquincentennial — say that fast five times! — while receiving feedback from educators and music industry professionals.
San Juan Capistrano Mayor John Campbell and Irvine Councilmember Melinda Liu attended to presented certificates to contest winners from their cities. Contest winners also received certificates from the County of Orange, signed by each of the five OC Supervisors.
To see and hear more information about this exciting program, go to https://newsroom.ocde.us/watch-original-student-compositions-take-center-stage-in-usa-250-oc-songwriting-showcase/
