WOODVILLE, TX (KTRE) -
Woodville native and hometown
star Kree Harrison has taken another step on her journey to become the next
American Idol.
Last week, the mayor of Woodville
presented her with a key to the city to show her how much the town is
supporting her. He met with East Texas news to discuss his "American Idol"
experience.
Woodville Mayor Ben Bythewood took a trip
to Hollywood last week to visit with the producers of the show's 12th season
and had the experience of a lifetime when he presented Harrison with a special
surprise in front of millions of viewers. The key to the City of Woodville will
be something that she'll be able to cherish for the rest of her life.
Bythewood was able to practice the
presentation with the show's host, Ryan Seacrest, before the live performance
last Thursday.
"She was absolutely wonderful, and as soon
as she saw me, she was just extremely excited, and then when I gave her the key,
she became very emotional," Bythewood said.
As the third-term Woodville mayor, he says
recognizing someone for this kind of achievement from East Texas doesn't happen
often.
"It's wonderful to let the world see
from the outside just a glimpse of what Woodville is like and the type of people,
and the spirit we have here," Bythewood.
The Woodville mayor added Harrison
represents that spirit.
"We're very proud of her, and we want
to foster the kind of spirit she has in the young people in Woodville, and I'm
sure all around," Bythewood said.
With the young woman's major
accomplishments, Woodville residents and their mayor felt like it was befitting
to give their "hometown hero" the key to the city.
"Kree is someone who is so extremely
talented, and despite some very strong adversities that she's had in her life,
she's been able to maintain her focus on her goals," Bythewood said. "And she's
worked hard and deserves every accolade she gets."
Tyler County residents meet each
Wednesday night during "American Idol" to have watch parties to support Kree Harrison
at the Tree Restaurant on South Magnolia in Woodville.
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