The room filled with applause as a 5-year-old who dreamed of being like Hannah Montana sang the last note of her original song. She had worked on it for weeks and couldn’t wait to finally share it with her family for Christmas.

   Now, imagine that same girl as an ambitious senior, someone who isn’t afraid to get involved with the community and wants to make a difference. Imagine a thespian, head of the hair and makeup team, president of National Honor Society, and senior class secretary for Student Council. Imagine someone who does all this and still manages to find the time to publish her own “Extended Play” or  EP.

   Today, senior Katherine Vlamis has posted her music on Spotify, iTunes, YouTube and other music platforms. She was recently featured on Fox4 News for their Reaching for Excellence award. Check out the story here.

Vlamis has been in love with music since she was a little girl.

   “When I was younger, I would write songs with my two best friends at the time, Abby and Maddie, and we had a fake band together,” Vlamis said. “We would write and come up with songs, and then perform them for each other and in front of our parents.”

   When asked what Vlamis will do once she graduates, senior Weston Brown was quick to answer: “Oh, easy – she’ll be a famous musician.”

   Many people know the saying, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” Vlamis takes it to heart.

   “There are times when I can’t come up with anything for two whole weeks and then I’ll come up with a whole song on the spot,” Vlamis said. “I’m always under the impression that if something doesn’t work out at first, keep trying. I know it’s cliché to say never give up but I totally believe that sometimes you just have to keep trying even when it’s difficult.”

   Not only did Vlamis write all the songs herself, but she also did all of the mixing and producing. She doesn’t let anything set her back, especially when it comes to her passion.

   “I want to release another full-length album at the end of senior year to kind of bookend what I have now,” Vlamis said.

    Of course,there is more to Vlamis than music. “Katherine is organized, passionate and I would even say unstoppable,” English teacher Kelsie Kleinmeyer said. “She’s going to accomplish anything she sets her mind to.”

   Vlamis dreams of attending the University of Southern California to study the music industry and pursue a career as a singer/songwriter.

   “She’ll probably release an album and go to a college that she wants to,” Kleinmeyer said. “She’ll never feel like she’s working because she’s going to love whatever she chooses to do,”

   “By her very nature, she is the sweetest person you’ll ever meet. But what’s more impressive is her constant, active mindset to find ways to be kind,” Brown said. “It’s easy to be mean, but it takes an effort to be nice. Katherine exemplifies that effort.”