Since winning last year’s Afterschool (Not) Idle Talent Competition, 15-year-old Marisa Potate has had very few moments of idleness.

The budding vocalist has made appearances at festivals, churches and special events, attended statewide and national vocal competitions and studied with noted vocal coaches. She’s also won several state and district academic awards, participated in cheerleader and pageant competitions and even earned a starring role in her school’s production of “High School Musical.”

On Tuesday, Marisa, who has aspirations of becoming a professional singer, will take a major step in making that dream a reality. The Clarkdale teen is headed to Nashville for her first recording session with top professional musicians.

“I’m very, very thankful to Peavey Electronics for giving me the opportunity to do this,” said Marisa, who received the recording session when she won the Peavey-sponsored talent competition.

“I’ve never had so many opportunities to meet people and to meet with people in the recording industry,” she said. “I’m so, so excited! This is such a great opportunity for me!

Honing her musical chops

Marisa says she has been singing “since I could,” but recalls entering her first talent competitions at the age of 8 — one at school and the other as part of the annual Jimmie Rodgers Memorial Festival.

“I sang ‘Tomorrow’ from the musical ‘Annie’ for both of them,” she said as she nervously twists from side-to-side in her chair.

And she won both competitions. In fact, Marisa won the Jimmie Rodgers Talent Competition three years in her age division and even earned an overall in the gospel division. She also one first place in her age division at the Mississippi Musician’s Hall of Fame Talent Competition and second place in the Senior Division of the Mississippi’s Got Talent Competition at the Mississippi State Fair.

Singing not only is her passion, but also her therapy.

“I like how I’m able to get my feelings out when I sing,” she said. “Sometimes I feel that I can’t get anything out unless I sing, it relieves my stress.”

Although she prefers country music, Marisa said she “pretty much can sing anything.” She lists country music singer Martina McBride as her inspiration, but she also enjoys listening to Kelly Clarkson and vocalists from the “Dreamgirls” movie soundtrack, which includes Jennifer Hudson and Beyonce’.

Marisa has trained for several years with Bob Westbrook of Pearl, who was the voice coach for former ‘N Sync singers Justin Timberlake and Lance Bass, as well as Britney Spears and Hayley Williams. She also has studied with Nashville vocal coach Renee Grant-Williams, who has trained Miley Cyrus of “Hannah Montana” fame and country music sensation Tim McGraw, as well as vocal coach Faith Martin of Clinton.

Marisa also gets to work her vocal skills as a member of the Hand and Feet Choir of New Hope Baptist Church.

Just your average teen

When she isn’t rehearsing, competing or performing, Marisa is like any other teen.

A highest honors student at Clarkdale, she is a member of the Spanish and Beta clubs, has won district and state awards in math and science, made a perfect score on the State Algebra Test and is a member of the Clarkdale Varsity Cheerleading Squad.

In addition to singing in her church’s youth choir and theater productions, Marisa has performed in several Meridian Little Theatre productions — “Annie,” “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and “Cinderella.” She currently holds the title of Our Little Miss Mississippi’s Entertainer of the Year.

During her upcoming recording session, Marisa will sing four original songs penned by a Nashville artist.

“I’ve recorded before in Memphis, but never with a team of backing musicians and other studio professionals,” she said. “I really hope this will kick off my recording career.”

In addition to studio time, Marisa also received $1,000 in Peavey gear for her “Afterschool (Not) Idle” win.

The daughter of Mike and Teresa Potate, Marisa has two sisters, Cassidy, 11, and Leah, 8.

About Afterschool (Not) Idle

"Afterschool (Not) Idle" is a three-tiered singing competition presented by Peavey for students who are enrolled in public, private or home school grades K-12.

The audition round will be held Oct. 13, at Peavey International Headquarters, 5022 Hartley Peavey Drive (Hwy. 493 North), where contestants will sing a capella.

Semifinalists from the audition round will advance and compete live, with backing music, at "Afterschool (Not) Idle" on Oct. 27, from 2 p.m. -5 p.m. in the JC Penney court of Bonita Lakes Mall. Three finalists from "Afterschool (Not) Idle" will compete during the official Lights On Afterschool rally on Nov. 15 at the MSU Riley Center before an audience of their peers and a panel of judges. The Grand Prize winner will receive a free Nashville recording session with top musicians. First runner-up will receive $750 in Peavey gear of the winner's choosing, and second runner-up will receive $500 in Peavey gear of the winner's choosing.

Anyone interested in participating should preregister by Oct. 12 at The Radio People's offices, 3436 Old Highway 45 North in Meridian, Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Official rules will be available.

• Lights On Afterschool is a nationwide rally that emphasizes the importance of keeping lights on and doors open at afterschool programs. Peavey hosted Meridian's first Lights On Afterschool rallies in 2005 and 2006, and developed "Afterschool (Not) Idle" as a way to involve more children, parents and community leaders in the cause. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is national chairman of Lights On Afterschool again this year, a position he has held since 2001.