Post by CarolinaCutie on May 16, 2003 13:00:22 GMT -4
Raleigh Mayor Declares May 16 'Clay Aiken Day' Raleigh's Shining Star Gets His Own Day
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Raleigh's Clay Aiken has made a name for himself as one of two finalists on the hit show "American Idol." Many in his hometown are especially proud -- including Mayor Charles Meeker who proclaimed May 16 as "Clay Aiken Day."
While Aiken gets the star treatment in Hollywood, his mother, Faye Parker, got the royal treatment at City Hall on behalf of her singing son.
"Whereas Clayton auditioned for 'American Idol,' not for fame or fortune, but for influence. Influence to positively effect our world," read Mayor Charles Meeker at Friday morning's ceremony.
Meeker said Aiken's star shines bright because of his talent and especially because of character.
While Aiken has always pursued the dream of performing, he has also served as a YMCA counselor to children with special needs and planned to pursue the work as a career.
Whether or not he wins 'American Idol" next Wednesday night, Aiken's mother said he has already won.
"The support that North Carolina and Raleigh has given him -- I've been overwhelmed with the love that's been poured out not only to him, but to me. I want to thank you again from the bottom of our hearts," she said.
Parker says it has been a fun ride.
"I get a kick out of it. It's a hoot to me that the fans are just so crazy about him. You know, they think that my son is a sex symbol and I think that's funny too," she said.
Out of the 19 million voters who called into the show Tuesday, the difference in votes for Aiken and Ruben Studdard was 2 two percent.
I'm so proud of him even though it's still hard for me to decide who should win the "American Idol" title because both he and Ruben are very talented in their own way.
But I think it's wonderful that the profits from all of the fun stuff goin' on here for him in the next few days will go to the two organizations that he is a part of. I really want to go to the festivities taking place on his behalf on Monday in the Raleigh/Durham area, but I don't leave work until 5 and it's like an hour drive from where I live which would be more like two with the evening traffic. 
So by the time, I would get there, things would prolly be over. ::sniff sniff:: Anyway, you go, Clay! ;D
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Raleigh's Clay Aiken has made a name for himself as one of two finalists on the hit show "American Idol." Many in his hometown are especially proud -- including Mayor Charles Meeker who proclaimed May 16 as "Clay Aiken Day."
While Aiken gets the star treatment in Hollywood, his mother, Faye Parker, got the royal treatment at City Hall on behalf of her singing son.
"Whereas Clayton auditioned for 'American Idol,' not for fame or fortune, but for influence. Influence to positively effect our world," read Mayor Charles Meeker at Friday morning's ceremony.
Meeker said Aiken's star shines bright because of his talent and especially because of character.
While Aiken has always pursued the dream of performing, he has also served as a YMCA counselor to children with special needs and planned to pursue the work as a career.
Whether or not he wins 'American Idol" next Wednesday night, Aiken's mother said he has already won.
"The support that North Carolina and Raleigh has given him -- I've been overwhelmed with the love that's been poured out not only to him, but to me. I want to thank you again from the bottom of our hearts," she said.
Parker says it has been a fun ride.
"I get a kick out of it. It's a hoot to me that the fans are just so crazy about him. You know, they think that my son is a sex symbol and I think that's funny too," she said.
Out of the 19 million voters who called into the show Tuesday, the difference in votes for Aiken and Ruben Studdard was 2 two percent.
I'm so proud of him even though it's still hard for me to decide who should win the "American Idol" title because both he and Ruben are very talented in their own way.
But I think it's wonderful that the profits from all of the fun stuff goin' on here for him in the next few days will go to the two organizations that he is a part of. I really want to go to the festivities taking place on his behalf on Monday in the Raleigh/Durham area, but I don't leave work until 5 and it's like an hour drive from where I live which would be more like two with the evening traffic. 
So by the time, I would get there, things would prolly be over. ::sniff sniff:: Anyway, you go, Clay! ;D 
