In January I wrote a journal to tell my watchers that a friend of mine was about to audition for American Idol. [link] She made it into the competition, and when she had a break and was able to visit home, she came briefly to her school, and mine. Though I could only see her for a minute between her closer friends and her new fans, I said hello and she gave me a hug.

Last Saturday, my family and I joined the rest of our community at my school, Beverly High School, to see the return of my friend and former schoolmate, Angela "Angie" Miller. We spent almost two hours waiting outside, but it was worth it to see her perform again. Thy school's concert quire performed the National Anthem, and then Angie performed with her brother John and his band Exiting the Fall.

Not half an hour ago my family and I watched the video of her return home. I saw my current classmates, the kids in my grade who know Angie best, reunite with her and ride in a limo through Beverly. I'd like to maintain that Beverly is not a "small town," it is a small city, a suburb. (Our neighbors Middleton and Hamilton-Wenham are more rural.) It was fantastic. I am so proud of my home, and of Angie, God bless her.

I'm entreating you guys to vote for Angie once the polls open. My family and I agree that it almost doesn't matter whether she wins, because this competition has put her into the world of professional music; she is going to have her musical career after this. But because she is so close, we're starting to hope more than ever that she'll win. (Not that I'll resent Candice or Kree if one of them wins; I love them, as people and as singers, though I don't know them personally.)

Send prayers and votes to Angie!