The Nexus

Sunlight cast across the field and the JV football team standing on the sidelines, itching to begin their game against Carlsbad.

In the booth overlooking the game’s many spectators, Decie Jean Reyes (11) trembled, anxiously waiting for her first singing performance in front of such a large group of people.

“I was nervous and shaky,” Reyes said. “It was like my phone was vibrating, but it was just me.”

She practiced singing the anthem quietly to herself in the small room next to the announcers, lightly tapping the keys on her iPhone piano application to ensure that she had each note in tune and ready for her moment.

Her nerves couldn’t get the best of her for such an important performance.

“I didn’t want to mess up and I was nervous about hitting the high notes,” Reyes said.

Those nerves were only intensified by the fact that she was just getting over a cough that she feared would leave her voice a bit raspy.

Suddenly, the announcer’s voice rang out over the murmuring of the crowd, requesting that the spectators stand and remove their caps. He then proceeded to list the names of Westview’s color guard and finally the singer of the National Anthem, Reyes.

She approached the microphone, breathing heavily, anxiously waiting to begin. She was slightly relieved that she wouldn’t have to perform in front of the stands, but was still intimidated by the crowd below.

The color guard took their positions at midfield, giving Reyes her queue. She inhaled deeply, the adrenaline kicked in and the melodic notes of the Nation Anthem wafted through the air and into the stands.

As the piece came to an end, Reyes knew she had done the Anthem justice. She felt confident that she had done well enough to perform again at the following game.

“I felt kind of powerful [because] I had never sung in such a huge area before,” she said. “It was a good opportunity to let my voice be heard.”