65-Year-Old School Custodian Sings Beautiful Rendition of National Anthem at Graduation
Summer is certainly the season of talent. Every Tuesday night on America’s Got Talent we have the chance to see jaw-dropping and show-stopping acts from across the country and around the globe.
But, not every shower-singer or closet-musician take their chances before those four infamous judges.
Sometimes the most talented people are the ones we pass in the halls of our workplaces, grocery stores, and school buildings each and every day.
Thurman Carthen has been a custodian at Galena High School in Reno, Nevada, for 13 years. At the age of 65, this church-going man, upon first glance, might seem like the average Joe.
Except, Carthen is anything but average. With the voice of an angel, he sings for his local congregation at First Baptist Church of Black Springs on Sundays, and he even takes time now and again to grace students and staff alike with a rendition of “Happy Birthday.”
The man is clearly known for his knack with vocals, so it’s no surprise he was asked by the Galena students to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” for their 2018 graduating class.
Carthen, who is retiring, expressed just how much it meant to him to sing at the special event. “This is a great way to end my career,” he commented.
“I mean, I help the kids hang up their banners and stuff, but this was really something,” he continued. But the truly amazing thing lies in the awe that surrounded Carthen at the Lawlor Events Center.
When he begins singing, you can’t help but get goosebumps as cheers erupt from the crowd. No accompaniment was needed for this man–his voice sings for itself.
The heart behind the words he sings is apparent. Carthen not only loves his students, but he obviously holds a reverence for his country as well.
“My perspective on Thurman,” Principal Tom Brown noted, “is he is one of the nicest, most sincere people you could ever meet.”
After watching Carthen’s performance, who could deny Principal Brown speaks anything but the truth?
What a perfect way to send off the graduating seniors in style. This man’s big-hearted performance will surely remain with them for years to come.
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