GGUSD Students and Parent Make Semi-Finals on NBC’s America’s Got Talent

Friday, August 31, 2018

Six students from Garden Grove Unified School District (GGUSD) are currently competing on NBC’s hit show America’s Got Talent as part of the Voices of Hope Children’s Choir, a spectacular group of 70 students ranging in age from five to seventeen. GGUSD parent Michael Ketterer is also a contestant on the show as a solo vocalist. Both acts earned coveted spots on the show’s semi-finals which will air September 4^th.

Students who are members of Voices of Hope include Jade Bruce, junior at Garden Grove High School; Autumn Rasmussen, freshman at Garden Grove High School; Ashely Aguirre, sixth grader at Eisenhower Elementary School; Isaias Aguirre, second grader at Eisenhower Elementary School; Evelyn Nguyen, seventh grader at Bell Intermediate; and Madeline Nguyen, sixth grader at Patton Elementary. Voices of Hope aims to bring children of all backgrounds together and is a free program that seeks to deliver the message of hope and peace to others. The choir’s performance of Moana’s “How Far I’ll Go,” received the golden buzzer from guest judge Ken Jeong.

In his first performance, Ketterer earned the golden buzzer from music mogul Simon Cowell who was inspired by his personal story of adopting children in need and serving as a pediatric mental health nurse. Ketterer is an active parent volunteer and has children at Northcutt Elementary, Fitz Intermediate, and Mark Twain Special Education Center, and has performed for students and staff on several occasions.

“We are rooting for both Michael and Voices of Hope Children’s Choir as they inspire millions with their impressive performances and powerful positive messages,” said Lan Nguyen, Board of Education vice president. “We are proud of the values of hope, service, and inclusion that both Michael and these students represent in their lives and through music.”