Rachel Holder Held Up the House

by Max Frommelt

Through the WGLR radio station, PHS got to see one of the newest country artists on November 14th. Rachel Holder, along with her guitarist, paid a visit to the school, and  while she demoed some of her new songs, she explained the purpose of her tour. 

The twenty-two-year-old singer is running for Miss Tennessee, and her trip to Wisconsin was a perfect chance to promote the Don’t Text & Drive program, which she hopes will be a hit in Tennessee, too. 

Tiana Gile (‘16) says of Holder’s performance and message to aspiring artists, “She was inspiring!” It takes a positive outlook on life in order to succeed in the music business. Even someone like the Chattanooga native  struggles with internal confidence. “I’m trying to find myself everyday of my life,” Holder admits. One of the best things that you can do is “have a great support system” as you go through life. 

Holder even shares about her younger years, “I got picked on a lot.” But, she maintains that this his should not deter you from making decisions. “If you feel like you're at a crossroads, make a decision and go with your gut.” While life is not always simple and kind, Holder says it’s imperative not to let things get to you.  Because, when it comes down to it, “Success is the best revenge.”

While the past two presenters, Holder and the up-and-coming Nashville sensation Tyler Barham, have been country artists, our future guests could bring anything. Mr. Engh explains,“The radio station is a reason for the musicians.” 

These presentations are not for the purpose of skipping class, according to PHS’s administration. They allow students to see what they can do with their future as they plan for college or whatever comes beyond high school.“Life has a lot of possibilities, not just what you see here in Platteville.” 

While some of the student body may not be interested in music, PHS will be having a special presenter come the week before winter break: Jerry DeClaire. While the name may not mean much now, wait ‘til you hear that he is a Marvel comic writer. He has written hundreds of comics for Marvel, including all of the X-Men series, Hawkeye, Ironman, Silver Surfer and Thor. He will be showing us the art of drawing comics and just how much science is involved. So, music is not the only tune that will be hitting our High School!