Not many high schools can boast about having a former student sing at a Presidential Inauguration, however, ours officially can. Lafayette was represented to the whole country this past weekend when Alicia Olatuja, 2000 LHS graduate, sang a solo in the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir at President Barack Obama’s second Inauguration Ceremony.

The 30-year-old mezzo-soprano gave a very powerful rendition of a verse in the Battle Hymn of the Republic, bringing tears to the President’s eyes, as captured on national television. She was asked in October 2012 when she was told she would sing the solo without even auditioning.

Her performance immediately drew high praise and attention from all those who saw it. The recording of the whole song sung by the choir is now available on iTunes and will be on the choir’s new album in April.

This talented Lafayette alumni was born and grew up in St. Louis. She graduated from the music school at the University of Missouri in 2005 and then moved to New York to pursue music and has even sung at Carnegie Hall. She is also a part of an afro-jazz band, called the Olatuja Project, with her husband.

Her former World History teacher, Steve Klawiter, only had positive things to say when asked about her.

“Alicia was a great student. She was always smiling and friendly to her classmates. She was very personal; she would stop and talk to you in the hallway. She was very respectable as well,” Klawiter said.

Even during her high school years, Olatuja’s voice garnered much admiration as Klawiter recalled her performance at an academic pep assembly one year.

“Literally hundreds of people had tears in their eyes and goose bumps. She’s extremely talented so I’m excited to know she is doing very well and it’s great to see her on television getting the spotlight,” Klawiter said.

If you haven’t seen her performance yet, follow this link (Olatuja’s solo starts at 2:32): http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/23/nyregion/brooklyn-tabernacle-choir-at-inauguration-reaches-global-audience.html?_r=0