‘Bealls and Whistles’ rap video takes department store’s prize
BROOKSVILLE –
For some school officials, it’s hard to find just the right words to express how deeply they need grant money.
Fortunately for Central High School, they have an aspiring rap artist and CHS senior Jessi Siri.
In three minutes and eight seconds, representatives of Bealls Department Store were convinced CHS deserved a $10,000 grant after listening to Siri and his friend’s rap song, “Bealls and Whistles” that was submitted as part of the grant application.
In the song, co-written by Siri and CHS Math Teacher Jimmy Rodriguez, students detail the problems facing their school – from leaking roofs to out-of-date computers.
Mary Beth Fox, vice president of Bealls marketing, told students Thursday representatives overseeing grants were so impressed with the video it guaranteed CHS to be one of the top 10 schools statewide to receive $10,000. Approximately 350 applied for the grant.
“The commitment from you guys is what made this happen,” Fox said. “In this video, you showed so much about what this school is all about.”
Rodriguez said the idea came to him that a music video could help push CHS’ application over the top.
He approached Siri about writing a song and performing it.
He said Siri then worked on perfecting the song in his studio at home while Rodriguez worked to film and edit the video.
In all, it took 17 hours to make the video, Rodriguez said.
“(Siri) is an aspiring rapper and I knew he had the talent,” Rodriguez said. “He also worked on the sound production and had friends help by being in the video with him dancing.”
CHS officials have said they will use the $10,000 to upgrade computers in the school along with purchasing new software to be used for assisting students with preparing for the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test.
Brooksville Elementary School also applied for the Bealls grant and received $300. As part of the grant, Bealls representatives are also expected to visit both schools and volunteer.
Meanwhile, Fox said Bealls officials were so impressed with the rap video they informed other school officials across the state about CHS’ talent.
That means that Siri – otherwise known as ‘Lyrical’ – not only helped garner his school thousands of dollars, but also won himself a larger audience.
“Everyone in the state is now talking about you,” Fox said.
To view the video:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lD-EUNH5RMk
Reporter Jeff Schmucker can be reached at 352-544-5271 or [email protected].
