Mercedez Garcia, a senior at Crown Point High School, was invited by the Mayor’s Office to sing the National Anthem at the Chicago Memorial Day parade.

Garcia has been singing since she was in Fourth grade. She sings at her church on Wednesdays and Sundays, but recently she sang for another important event.

“In October of 2022, my uncle passed away, and he was part of the Chicago Veterans Association board. They were having their first Veterans Ball since Covid, and they were honoring him at the Ball in November of 2023,” said Garcia. “They asked me to sing the National Anthem for their Veterans Day event.”

When Garcia was asked by the Mayor’s office to sing the national anthem on Monday, May 27th, she was shocked and excited.
“It’s very surreal. It doesn’t feel real, and it’s probably not going to feel real,” said Garcia.

Garcia plans to continue singing past high school, and wants to take over as youth worship leader. She has loved singing for a long time and her skills are evident in her accomplishments.

“It’s a very cool experience and it’s an honor to be able to have the opportunity to do something like this.”