EASLEY — Singer Delvin Choice returned to McKissick Elementary School in a slightly different capacity after his first visit a few months ago: this time, as a mentor.
“I promised I’d come back, didn’t I? Bet you didn’t believe me!” Choice shouted above the waving, cheering student body. “Y’all didn’t think you could get rid of me that easy, now did you?”
Choice originally was invited to the school as a reward for the entire student body going 20 days without any student receiving an office referral. As of Tuesday, the kids were well on their way to hitting their mark for a third time.
“Does anybody remember what I said the last time I was out here?” Choice asked the kids. “Do you remember? Shout it out, tell me.”
“WE ALL MATTER!” the kids shouted.
“That’s right. And that’s why I came back, and that’s why I will continue to come back: because you do all matter,” said Choice. “Every last one of you. You know, someone asked me out front if I was like the McKissick mentor or something because I keep coming back to see you guys. And you know what? I proudly will stand up and say: Yes, I am.”
In keeping with his last visit, Choice continued to drive home the message that he was firm in his belief that kids are capable of achieving anything they wanted out of life.
“You are not your circumstances nor are you your surroundings. You are the change makers and you are the dream chasers,” said Choice. “Don’t let anyone ever tell you otherwise.”
“The Voice” finalist then challenged the students to what may have been the largest game of “Heads up 7up” ever on the blacktop behind the school and promised to keep coming back, again and again to see his “favorite kids.”
“I am so very proud of all of you,” said Choice. “I ain’t going nowhere.”
