Mt. Carmel students rally for ‘Idol’s’ Adam Lambert

The “American Idol” front runner will visit his alma mater on Friday.

By Helen Kaiao Chang, SDNN

Wednesday, May 6, 2009
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Adam Lambert performs "Feeling Good" on American Idol on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/FOX, Frank Micelotta)

Adam Lambert performs "Feeling Good" on American Idol on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/FOX, Frank Micelotta)

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Oh my god, Adam Lambert will be in San Diego on Friday!

You know, Adam, the “American Idol” contestant who might actually win this season’s crazy-wild show.

The one with the slate-chopped hair, black-painted fingernails, nasty green eyes and marathon banshee screams.

The one who grew up in Rancho Penasquitos, went to Mt. Carmel High School, and performed in local children’s theater.

Adam Lambert, the “rock God,” as “Idol” judge Kara DioGuardi called him, will be visiting the homeboys this week. Lambert is slated to do an interview with Jeff and Jer on Star 94.1, and perform a free concert at his old high school Friday at 10 a.m.

Aahhhhhhhhhhh!

At Mt. Carmel, some of Adam’s biggest fans are doing their all to make sure he wins.

Allyson Jacyln Ruiz, 14, text messaged 500 times to vote for him on Tuesday night. “Literally 500 times, I was like 500 outboxes,” she said. “I loved his performance, I loved the song he sang…I really want to see him win.”

Kira Compana, 16, Stephanie Valdez, 17 and their friends Sarah, 16, and Ashley, 16, are making posters and T-shirts with Lambert’s photos in preparation for the concert.

Compana, who works on the high school yearbook, said they plan to give Lambert a tour of the school if time allows. Valdez said Lambert was going to tour the theater, with all the drama students.

Compana said that when she found out Lambert would be there, “I ran up… screaming, because he’s my favorite on ‘American Idol.’”

Students in the drama school see him as a role model. “It encourages me to do more,” said Carribean Parnell, 14. “When you look at how far he went, it makes me want to go further.”

Kimi Nothduret, 15, a drama student, said that when she heard him sing one particular song, “I almost cried.”

Even though a lot of people think Lambert is gay, no one cares. Photos have been floating around the Internet showing Lambert kissing other men and Lambert has told “Access Hollywood”: “I have nothing to hide. I am who I am.”

“What does it matter?” asked Hannah Gillespie, 14. “It’s a personal choice, whatever.”

The girls think Lambert’s hot. “He’s a bomb,” said Parnell. And he’s got style. “He’s OG,” said Gillespie, meaning “orginal gangster,” which means he’s an original singer.

Even the school staff is rooting for their former student. Judy Shuta, administrative assistant to the principal knew him when Lambert performed in high school musicals, including “Big River” and “The Secret Garden.” She recalled his talent, while flipping through old yearbooks that showed Lambert’s photos.

Shuta and other staff have been emailing district teachers and staff, encouraging them to vote.

Especially after Lambert ranked in the bottom three the previous week, Shuta cranked up the heat, voting for two hours straight Tuesday night. “We’re doing our part to keep Adam running,” she said, “because we think he’s the best.”

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17 comments

READER COMMENTS

Comment by: sheyll0033 Posted: May 6, 2009, 10:17 pm

i am crazy about this guy and have playlisted all his songs my favarate is ring of fire noone can beat him

Comment by: Jmack Posted: May 6, 2009, 10:21 pm

Awesome article. Great to see so much hometown support for him. With record viewership this season, the competition is only going to get tougher for Adam. It’s going to take continued dedicated support by his fans. By dedicated, I mean like Allyson’s 500 votes kind of dedicated! Vote your fingers off next week for Adam!

Comment by: Adam fan Posted: May 6, 2009, 10:26 pm

will fans from other schools be allowed?

Comment by: BCE Posted: May 6, 2009, 10:58 pm

Hmm…Adam is “a bomb” and Original Gangster equating to Original Singer? I think a few things were lost in translation between students and journalist, and perhaps even between students and sub-culture coiners of above phrases:))

Comment by: Patti Posted: May 7, 2009, 12:58 am

I was never a huge rock fan,but Adam made me stop and listen more. Now, I truly have an appreciation for this type of music. Adam is a true music artist and amazing entertainer. Only a few can do what he does and get away with it. Our top Icons Michael Jackson, Elvis, Madonna, David Bowie to name a few. They can do anything good or bad and people want to listen. Adam has that same charisma. I will pray for him that the industry is kind to him because the media and business can really screw up people’s heads.

Comment by: Mississippi K Posted: May 7, 2009, 7:41 am

Hey all — I think somethising got lost here.
OG = original gangsta or orignial gangster referring to someone who has a stereotypical 1970’s gangster’s lifestyle. It has nothing to do with Adam.

Comment by: Adam Honks Posted: May 7, 2009, 8:47 am

Tweeny Boppers like Allyson who vote 500 times drastically skew the results of American Idol. Sure Adam has some talent, but overall he honks. Being able to scream somewhat on key does not make anyone a “rock god”. He is a tragic mess.

Comment by: queenrosered Posted: May 7, 2009, 10:45 am

Adam Honks? Lambert has (in YOUR opinon) “some talent” and is a “tragic mess”?? Really? What kinda crack are you smokin’? ADAM LAMBERT is a ROCK GOD and cannot be compared to anyone except the greatest, Elvis (looks-wise) Freddie Mercury, Robert Plant, Steven Tyler, and the list of ONLY the greatest rock singers EVER! You’re seriously twisted dude,and soooo wrong on so many levels, lmao! GO ADAM!! XD

Comment by: YR Posted: May 7, 2009, 2:00 pm

Hey Adam Honks, got your hearing checked lately? Listen to Gokey’s ending on Rock night for an illustration of “scream”…or maybe you have, which affected your hearing. San Diego, hope you guys give Adam a welcome matching his performances. From his intervews it doesn’t sound like he had fond memories of his “hometown”…

Comment by: PhDude Posted: May 7, 2009, 4:52 pm

Don’t worry about honked. He is sad enough to be surfing the web for somebody he doesn’t like. That tells you everything about him.

Where is the parade going to be at? i want to fly in from Phoenix to support Adam but details are scarce.

Comment by: The Legend Posted: May 7, 2009, 10:33 pm

8 a.m. Radio interview

Lambert appears live on the Jeff and Jer Showgram, 94.1 FM.

The public is invited:
9660 Granite Ridge Drive
Suite 100
San Diego, CA 92123

8:45 a.m. Radio interview

Lambert appears live on AJ’s Playhouse, Channel 9.33 FM.

The public is invited at:
9660 Granite Ridge Drive
Suite 100
San Diego, CA 92123
(yes, it’s the same place!)

10 a.m. High school parade

Mt. Carmel High School students hold a parade in honor of Lambert, featuring the school’s cheerleaders and band. The parade will take place on Sun Devil Way, which sits above Mt. Carmel High. It is a public street and the event is open to the public.

10:30 a.m. Lambert arrives

Lambert will arrive in a car convoy. “He will drive down and people can wave and greet him,” said Judy Shuta, assistant to the principal at Mt. Carmel High School.

11 a.m.-ish Lambert performs

Lambert will be escorted by security to the Sun Devil stadium, where he will sing two songs, said Sharon Raffer, public relations officer of Poway United School District.

The stadium seats 4,000. Priority will be given to students and faculty of Mt. Carmel High, which has 2,300 students, and neighboring Black Mountain Middle School, which has 1,200 students.

Remaining seats will be open to the public, who will be escorted by security to the stadium. The school campus is not open to the public, but the public can attend the performance after security escort. Seating will be on a first-come, first-serve basis, said Shuta.

The event is a “special assembly” for students. But “we do have regular school,” said Shuta. “We’re gonna try!”

Comment by: Mona Posted: May 8, 2009, 5:35 am

Last time I checked Adam’s were beautiful and blue. And he SINGS, he doesn’t scream. Good information, though.

Comment by: angel Posted: May 8, 2009, 11:30 am

Adam is AWESOME!! yes Patti you are right, he is in the same league with the greats like Michael, Freddy, Elton, Steven…
I am so glad the people in San Diego are supporting Adam. Wish I could be there but live a 5 hour flight away!!
And to honks, Kris and Danny’s fans are doing the same thing as far as voting, how the heck do you think there were over 60million votes on Tuesday?
I personally vote the full 2 hours and I hope everyone will support Adam by voting, and texting.

Comment by: ravengirl Posted: May 8, 2009, 12:12 pm

My teenage kids use the term “gangster” to represent something really cool or fabulous. Nothing to do with gangs or bad things. Just like how they use the word “sick” to mean cool. We are getting old, yes, but we should still know what the kids are saying.
Mine are also saying Adam is really cool and fabulous, though perhaps not in those words. I totally agree, and I’m 52!

Comment by: IslandGal Posted: May 9, 2009, 8:40 am

I find it refreshing that Adam engaged teenagers for his homecoming. He relates to these kids - he’s been there thru the “weird” times, and look how beautifully he’s dealt with it and come through it.
He is so centered, so grounded - What a gift he is for kids in the arts today.
I’ll continue to vote for him until he wins.

Comment by: Linda Smernoff Posted: May 9, 2009, 8:55 am

I am 67 and I agree! I was a teen when Elvis was “The God of songs”. Now Adam is. I have not heard anything like him for over 40 years. Hey, all you folks out there…if a 67 year old woman can vote for two hours straight, so can you! And please do so. I don’t want to see Kris or Danny, who can not hold a candle to Adam, become the next AI. They are just not good enough. They will sink into obscurity…Adam definitely will not! PLEASE VOTE YOUR FINGERS OFF! Adam must win.

Comment by: Smokin' Joe McCarthy Posted: May 25, 2009, 3:34 am

This guy is over-rated, I’m sorry, but that’s just the fact. It’s cool that he is from my home town (RP) and all but let’s face it, even Murph and the MagicTones wouldn’t hire this guy.

This overvoting thing is pointless and stupid. If it (the voting) meant anything it would be controlled.

Sorta like how Obama got elected, with ACORN phony-ing up the votes–too bad that vote counted, despite the fact that Obama is not an American citizen and is not eligible to even be the President.

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