Jozy Hansen sings, inspires Schroeder Middle School

Cameras were flashing and students were cheering at Schroeder Middle School as Jozy Bernadette Hansen took to the microphone.

Photo by Eric Hylden/Grand Forks Herald

Hansen, who attended Schroeder through 2005 and recently sang on the television program "The Voice," performed two songs for a crowd of approximately 600 students, faculty and special guests at the school's year-end assembly Thursday.

"I always love to come back to my old schools," said Hansen. "When I was in middle school, I didn't really have anybody in my hometown that I looked up to. It's kind of cool that I could be that for some little boy or girl out there. You never know who you're going to inspire when you do stuff like this."

Before starting her set, Hansen took a moment to give a heartfelt address to the Schroeder students, telling them to "pursue their dreams with all their heart and all their might" and not to take no for an answer.

Her message resonated with some students.

"In one speech she said to follow your dreams," said Tatiana Jonk, a graduating eighth-grader. "Just because you're from a small town doesn't mean you won't be able to do anything. I think that's good."

Grace Carl, a fellow eighth-grader, said she also looks up to Hansen.

"I would consider her a role model," Carl said. "She's very nice."

This wasn't Hansen's first time performing at an alma mater. She performed earlier this year at Central High School's Knight Idol, taking time afterward to meet and take pictures with students, just as she did Thursday.

"I think she's amazingly talented, stunning and had a positive message," said Angie McLean, a teacher at Schroeder. "I think that (the students) can relate to her. She picked good, relevant songs and they were able to join in."

Since her days on "The Voice," Hansen is devoting her time to producing music.

"I'm working on my own stuff," she said. "I have buddies from 'The Voice' that are helping me produce and write. I want what I put out to be something that I love and am obsessed with. I just don't want to put out music to do it, so right now I'm just fine-tuning my sound and my style."

Over the summer, Hansen will be singing at multiple weddings, and hopes to move to Nashville.