(Source: Daytona Times)
K’imani Gerven-McCoy spent her first day back from the winter break a little differently than other Flagler Schools students – singing the National Anthem at the opening session of the Florida state legislature.
The Flagler-Palm Coast High School freshman was invited to do honors by Florida Speaker of the House and state representative of the 19th district Paul Renner, whose district includes Flagler County.
Through a collaboration of School Board Chairman Will Furry and Renner, McCoy, a local singing phenomenon, was tapped for the honor. She received permission to miss Tuesday, Jan. 9 for this very special appointment.
McCoy, accompanied by her mother, Tahlia, and Jeffrey Reaves, the district’s Director of Teaching and Learning, traveled to Tallahassee Tuesday morning, leaving Flagler County before dawn to arrive on time for the opening session. Once they arrived at the Capitol, they were greeted by Renner and his staff.
Shortly after 10 a.m., as the House opening session was called to order, K’imani, who just turned 15 on Dec. 31, delivered a stirring performance of the National Anthem, which drew a standing ovation from the floor. Renner commented that if the audience enjoyed that performance, they should hear K’imani’s cover of a Whitney Houston song.
An hour later, Kimani delivered her second performance – this time at the start of the joint session of both houses. Again, her singing was pitch perfect.
She graciously posed for selfies and photos with delighted legislators and staff and met Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
At their workshop meeting on Tuesday afternoon, the Flagler County School Board congratulated K’imani on her success and agreed to invite K’imani and her family to their next regular meeting, which will be Jan. 23 at 6:30 p.m., at the GSB Board Chambers, 1769 E. Moody Blvd., where she will be presented with a Spotlight award of recognition and possibly sing the National Anthem.
School Board Chair Furry said, “She did an amazing job. She did a phenomenal job, and it was a really proud moment for Flagler Schools to have one of our own be honored in such a way. So, congratulations to her and her family.”
He also thanked Renner for making it happen. Flagler Superintendent LaShakia Moore added, “To watch it, and see him afterwards beaming with so much pride in the great job that she did was super special. I watched it both times, and you will see (K’imani perform) again.”
Some in the Flagler Schools system were al- ready familiar with K’imani’s musical gift prior to Tuesday. She was an award-winning participant in several talent show competitions.
K’imani Gerven-McCoy, 15, takes it all in before she sings for the lawmakers in Tallahassee. She is in ninth grade at Flagler-Palm Coast High School.
Multiple talent shows honors
She took top honors at the Spotlight on Flagler Youth Talent Show in the middle school division two years in a row while a student at Buddy Taylor Middle School.
Her mom reveals that K’imani has been singing ever since she was a toddler, and her dedication and love of singing has only grown over the years.
Though she has lived in Tennessee and Daytona Beach, K’imani has spent most of her life in Flagler County. She has three younger siblings at home who are also musically inclined. K’imani’s mom, Tahlia, serves as her coach. She prepared for her performances last week, rehearsing with Amelia Fulmer, the director of the Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center at Flagler Auditorium.
Fulmer shared warm-up exercises and pointers on which notes of the venerable song to emphasize and how to pace herself.