It takes courage to be the focus of a bright, circular light elevated for all to see and judge. For some, it’s a place too intimidating to step in time. For others, the brilliant round provides comfort like a rocking chair on a shady porch in summer, the microphone a tall, cool lemonade. For Kyle, singing is as natural as breathing, and it’s a pure heart that pumps the beat.

There were some talented kids up on that stage, and several were from Ms. Root’s class. Those special young people received some of the most boisterous ovations of the evening from their teenage peers. I’ve watched racism wither with the generation of my children, and it seems they’re rejecting meanness as well. The winning team sang “Colors of the Wind,” but in this judges opinion, a young lady who sang the comical “Taylor the Latte Boy,” was the best. There were also several capable guys rapping hip-hop songs, accessorized like gaudy gold bling with cliché bad boy “moves.” At one point I turned to Kyle’s Mom and asked, “Does our boy do a crotch grab in his song?” While that would have been hilarious, he didn’t, but thanks to Kyle, our hearts are blessed with the sound of music.