The students in Mrs. Kiefer’s and Mr. Miller’s 5th grade classes had the special opportunity to do a Zoom interview with Grammy Award-winning Christian recording artist Mandisa on May 29. The 5th graders had been reading and studying the book “Number the Stars,” which focuses on the struggles of two children during the time of the Holocaust. The students have been learning about overcoming obstacles and being brave, which are themes in Mandisa’s music.
Mandisa was originally scheduled to be the keynote speaker at the ACS Legacy Gala on May 1, but the Gala was cancelled due to the outbreak of the coronavirus. One of Mandisa’s hit songs, “Overcomer,” had become familiar to ACS students from a video promoting the Gala that was broadcast in the school lobby in January and February.
From her living room in Tennessee, Mandisa responded during the live Zoom meeting to questions posed by the students and Mrs. Kiefer, who moderated the interview. Mandisa gave advice on how to overcome obstacles by expressing one’s feelings and seeking wisdom from God through prayer. To one question Mandisa responded — “I have learned to put my worth and value in what God says about me and I know He loves me just the way that I am.”
Mandisa got her big break as a contestant on American Idol Season 5, finishing in 9th place. With more than 1 million records sold, she has proven to be one of American Idol’s most successful alums. She was performing across the country with the Christian music group Newsboys as part of their 2020 Greatness of Our God Tour, but the tour was suspended this spring due to the coronavirus outbreak. In 2017, she performed with Toby Mac’s “HITS DEEP Tour.” She was awarded a Grammy in 2013 for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for her best-selling “Overcomer” album.
CLICK HERE to watch the entire interview with Mandisa.