Normal Day For High Schoolers, Despite Star In Midst

Today was much like any other day at . Buses arrived on time, delivering still groggy teens who coagulated in clumps in hallways and shuffled into classrooms.

Principal Rosaleen Sirchio said the day was pretty normal, generally, except for a growing stack of messages from media organizations wanting to talk about one senior in particular.

That senior, Cari Fletcher, and received the approval of all four judges, which passed her through to the next round in the competition.

The prize for winning the show is a $5 million recording contract and an appearance in a commercial to be shown at next year’s Super Bowl.

Fletcher, a captain of the Girls’ Varsity volleyball team and drama club standout, sang “Alone,’’ by ‘70s rock group “Heart,’’ during the televised audition, which took place earlier this year in Newark.

“She was fantastic,’’ Sirchio said. “I couldn’t think of a better representative of the high school. She’s kind, caring, compassionate, talented – she’s the whole package.’’

Fletcher took some knocks from Cowell, who reluctantly gave his consent for Fletcher to move on in the competition despite calling her performance “boring.’’

Other judges had high praise.

Sirchio said she was aware that Fletcher had auditioned for the show, but said no one knew when her audition would air. She also said Fletcher’s audition was kept pretty quiet, and many of the students were unaware that she was going to be on the show.

Now that the secret’s out, however, Sirchio said there may be more buzz as the show goes along.

“Wall High School will be cheering her on, supporting her as she continues,’’ Sirchio said. “It’ a great thing for her, for the school and for the town, frankly. You could not ask for a better representative.’’