Laurel Academy in Bellwood is known as a preschool, pre-kindergarten and day care.
More recently it has garnered attention as the school of about 30 children who have a talent for singing the National Anthem.
Owner and director of Laurel Academy Brenda Talko said that around Valentine’s Day the kids tried out for one of the positions to sing the National Anthem for an Altoona Curve baseball game.
She said out of more than 100 people or groups who tried out, the children of Laurel Academy received one of the coveted 40 positions to sing at one of the Altoona Curve home games at Blair County Ballpark.
On May 9, the kids sang to the crowd at the Curve game, and 200 tickets were purchased just from parents and relatives of the children.
Talko said it was an awesome experience, and the kids really enjoyed it.
Besides a memorable experience, singing at the Curve has also given the group of children new opportunities to sing at other places around the area.
Talko said somebody at the Curve game was a member of the Bellwood Relay for Life committee. They saw the kids perform at the Curve, and now the kids have been asked to carry in flags and sing the National Anthem for the opening ceremonies of Bellwood Relay for Life. The opening ceremonies are scheduled for July 25 at 7 p.m. at the Bellwood-Antis Memorial Stadium.
After Bellwood Relay for Life opening ceremonies, the kids are packing their bags and heading to Pittsburgh to perform the National Anthem at a Pirates game.
Talko said somehow they got referred to sing at the Pirates game, and it will be to a sell-out crowd set for August 2. A fireworks show will also accompany the game.
She is in the process of chartering a bus, so all of the parents will be able to go. She said the parents are very wonderful and supportive parents and support the kids no matter what they do.
Talko said the kids are already planning on trying out again next year to sing the National Anthem for the Curve, and she would like to thank Gary Marutiak, the contact person at the Altoona Curve, for being such a help to her in the process of organizing tickets and events.
