Bria Johnson Wins the 2011 McDonald’s ‘The Gift’ Singing Competition

Dekalb Elementary School of the Arts has some celebrating to do. One of their very talented students, Bria Johnson, is the first place winner of the 2011 McDonald’s The Gift: Youth Inspirational Singing Competition, which was held on Sunday, April 3, 2011, at the Rialto Center for the Performing Arts. She performed a rendition of Grammy Award-winning singer Jennifer Hudson’s single “I Am Changing.”

The Gift competition is designed to expose youth to successful career opportunities in music, performing arts, marketing and related fields through education, technical tools and life skills assistance. The Greater Atlanta McDonald’s Operators Association has hosted as many as 1,500 auditioning participants since its first competition held in 2005.

The competition is the brainchild of Atlanta-area McDonald’s owner-operator Carrie Salone who shared, “This has been a seven-year journey and a great journey.”

In a press statement, Donovan Groen, president of the Greater Atlanta McDonald’s Operators Association shared, “As a father, I hold opportunities very dear to my heart that impact Atlanta’s youth. My family and I have been personally inspired by how the young contestants in The Gift competition reach for the stars and make their dreams a reality. Our local McDonald’s owner-operators are fully committed to the community and providing a launching pad for these musical stars.”

Lyric Stephen, who attends Dekalb School of the Arts, snagged second place singing Hudson’s “Feeling Good,” a remake of a Sarah Vaughn classic, and Grayson High School student Atiauna Grant came in third. She performed Donald Lawrence’s “Encourage Yourself.”

An excited Cynthia Young from Kiss 104 FM hosted the show saying jokingly, “I am feeling my inner Ryan Seacrest.” Voice coach and mentor to the 15 semifinalists, Cynnamyn Robinson, V-103’s Shay Moore, music industry veterans Kathy Stringer, Eric Newcomer and Henry Stokes served on the panel of judges. –yvette caslin