DIXFIELD — Addy Fuller has been singing ever since she could talk.

“Singing lets you forget what’s bothering you, it’s relaxing,” the 15-year-old sophomore at Dirigo High School said.

That love for singing, together with an exceptional talent, has netted her a chance to sing at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., later this month.

She, and about 150 other young people from throughout the United States, will make up the All-National Honor Choir. As far as anyone in the Western Foothills Regional School Unit 10 can remember, Addy will be the first to be so honored.

When Addy, whose real first name is Adelaide, received the email last month inviting her to participate, she stared at it for 30 seconds.

“Then I started screaming,” she said.

“She’s one of those students people look forward to having in class,” Kenneth Labrecque, music teacher at Dirigo High School, said. “I’m very proud of her.”

Being chosen to participate is something Addy is looking forward to doing.

“I love meeting new people. That’s one of the things I love about All-State,” she said.

She’ll fly to Washington on June 23 and will stay at a hotel with other participants. Her parents, Kim and Don Fuller of Peru, will drive down to watch her perform. Then Addy will return to Maine with them.

Labrecque said he had heard of Addy and her talent ever since she was in elementary school.

“She’s very mature for her age and musically. I have to remind myself that she’s so young. She’s very talented and even-keeled and a great role model,” Labrecque said.

Addy likes all kinds of music, but particularly classical and religious.

She’s also considering opera.

To audition for the All-National Honor Choir, Addy recorded scales, arpeggios (notes from chords), and “America the Beautiful” on an MP3.

Besides singing soprano in All-State, the Dirigo High School Choir, and the Kennebec Valley Music Festival, she also plays violin with the Mid-Maine Youth Orchestra and the Franklin County Fiddlers.

She has starred in her high school’s last two musicals, and plans to continue performing in them.

When she attended elementary school in Peru, she always participated in the talent shows.

“I just put myself right out there,” she said.

She plans to attend college with a major in musical theater and hopes to have a singing career.

While music is a major component of her life, Addy also was elected class president for next year, serves on the Student Council, and is an honor-roll student.

The cost for Addy’s four days in Washington is $1,300. Any donations would be appreciated. Those wishing to donate, may send a check to Dirigo High School, Addy Fuller fund, Weld Street, Dixfield, ME 04224.

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