Disney Star Performs for Whiting Kids After Contest Win

When fifth grader and Junior Impact Club President Thomas Gilman heard about Philadelphia radio station Q102’s “High School Musical” contest, he just knew he had to enter Whiting Elementary. 

The prize - a meeting with his role model, singer/actress Emily Osment, of Disney’s "Hannah Montana" show, and a private concert at his school on Feb.  4.

To win the contest, Whiting Elementary secured the most votes on Q102.com.  Thomas designed and handed out flyers in school to encourage classmates to vote from Jan. 19 through Feb 1. 

Votes came in from all over the country for Whiting Elementary. “I sent out text messages to all my friends and relatives. We even had people from California voting for us,” said Casey Gilman, 8th grader at Manchester Township Middle School and Thomas Gilman's sister.

Thomas Gilman said he never thought that they would win because “Whiting is such a small school.” But, when his school was announced as the winner on Feb. 2, he found that his hard work had paid off and his dream had come true.

In preparation for the school’s special day, many students made welcome signs for Osment. Two students from every class were chosen by their teachers through a lottery or a writing assignment, for a “meet and greet” with Osment before the show. The students were each allowed a picture with Osment and an autograph.

“Emily is a very down to earth celebrity. I think this is a nice thing for her to do because many other celebrities might not do it,” Casey Gilman said.

Next, Osment performed several songs and encouraged the students to dance, yell as loud as they could, and sing along. Between songs, Osment engaged the students in short and fun conversations.

“Eat your vegetables and read books,” Osment instructed the crowd of 250 students gathered in Whiting Elementary’s multi-purpose room. 

Many of the students look up to Osment.  “She really is a big role model to all of us kids,” said Casey Gilman. 

Osment said her role models are Brandon Boyd of Incubus and Tom Yorke of Radiohead, who are “people that can do many different things within the industry and be creative outside of the industry at the same time. It is great to see people who can do that, and make people happy at the same time,” she said.

Whiting Elementary showed Osment they are ready for fun. “This is crazy!  We just had a party in the library," she said. "I mean, that goes against all the rules that I was brought up with in elementary school."