When technical difficulties almost prevented the national anthem from being played before a school basketball game, a brave 12-year-old girl stepped up in a big way.
Paetyn Taylor was there to cheer on her Rush Springs, Oklahoma, school in an away game against Alex School.
"The national anthem wouldn't play and I told myself, 'This is a time where I have to sing,'" Paetyn said.
And sing she did
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime deal," Paetyn told Mom.com that she thought to herself.
Her mom had left courtside momentarily when the singing began.
"I only caught the tail end of it," Cassie Taylor shared.
"When I first heard her, I hadn’t walked in yet, and I thought that sounds like Pae. Then I thought, there’s no way that is Pae — we're in Alex playing an away game."
But it was Paetyn, "singing her little heart out," her mom said.
But she didn't do it alone
And though Paetyn was "nervous about the reactions," there was no need to be afraid. Even when the 6th grader momentarily forgot the anthem's words, she was helped through by her teammates and the crowd. The help from the spectators with the lyrics, Paetyn said, was the moment that now stands out to her the most.
The touching moment moved both Paetyn and her mom
Cassie Taylor was "overwhelmed" to see her young daughter singing a cappella "with absolutely no fear whatsoever."
"I was overwhelmed with pride and amazement at how brave she is," she said.
