Christmas

Texas High School Cheers On ‘Hairspray Live' Star

At Clear Falls High School in League City, Texas, the Christmas choir season is busy.

"It's that time of year. If you see a musician give them a hug, because they need it," said Clear Falls choir director Jill Fetty.

The students are working on blending their voices, but one recent graduate couldn't help but stand out.

"She just made the music float off the page," said Fetty.

Maddie Baillio, star of NBC's musical production "Hairspray Live," was the school's first to make Texas All-State in choir.

"You can't help but watch her onstage and know that she had something really magical," said Fetty.

Fetty was new to the school when she met Baillio.

"She came in and sang, and I remember thinking, 'Wow, are all the kids this talented?'" Fetty said, with a laugh.

Baillio's talent matched, and a meticulous work ethic continues to inspire these students.

"I think what it does for our kids is makes them realize it's possible," Fetty said.

"I personally want to go and do things like this one day, and just seeing that [Baillio's success] is like, 'Oh, my gosh!'" said Clear Falls senior Izzy Traslavina.

"Everyone loved her when she was here," said student James Nguyen, who was a freshman when Baillio was a senior.

"Like, my parents still talk about how amazing she was," Nguyen said.

Baillio still comes back to visit, and she's forever a member of Clear Falls High School.

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