An Okotoks girl has been practising all summer for the performance of her life.
Cleavon Abree Laquibla, a Grade 7 student at St. John Paul II Collegiate, is set to take the stage at St. Vladimir's Ukrainian Orthodox Sobor in Calgary on Sept. 24 with the aim of capturing the Voice of the Champion kid title.
"I think it will go well just because of how much I practiced," she said. "I'm confident, but not too confident."
Laquibla's journey to the title and $1,500 prize began when her uncle came across a Facebook post calling for auditions. Interested, Laquibla and her mom Sheryl submitted a video of her singing, which was met with praise from judges and booked her a spot in the final.
Since then, she has been working rigorously with her vocal coach aunt preparing a song she hopes will wow the panel of three and set her apart from the other four contestants.
First place in the kid category will nab a $1,500 prize, followed by $700 for second place and $500 for third place.
The middle schooler also has the chance to win the $300 social media award, given to the contestant who exhibits the most growth and reach on social media.
The singing competition, which is in its third season, allows Albertans of all ages to compete for the title — the kid category is complementary to the adult category which awards $3,000 and a trip for two to Las Vegas for the winner, $1,000 for second place and $700 for third.
When she is not doing vocal exercises and practising to sing on stage, Laquibla models and is preparing to enter her first pageant.
She was also recently cast as a Young Canadian intermediate singer and will perform during next year's Calgary Stampede Grandstand.
This summer, the preteen also had the opportunity to walk and sing at Edmonton Kids Fashion Week at the Fantasyland Hotel.
Outside of music and performing, Laquibla recently started Tae-Kwon-Do and enjoys studying and homework, with science being her favourite subject.
