KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/DickinsonSmall Town North Dakota Singer Takes the National Stage

Small Town North Dakota Singer Takes the National Stage

Before Gwen's fate was decided on The Voice, her hometown fans gave an earful on her talent.

 "When she sings live she sounds great, just like when she's on the cd, it's flawless, I think she'll sound good." says Devin Sardelli/8th Grade.

  "She has that country background but she sings a little classic rock too." says Brian Richardson/Freshman.

 "I remember Gwen very well she was energetic loved to sing then, loved music, came from a very musical family they still are." says Bonnie Uttech/1st Grade Teacher.

Pride for Gwen is easily found in the hallways of Hebron High School.

"I did teach two of her cousins, she had lunch with us one day, she returned a letter with autographed drumsticks, she has kept Hebron in her thoughts, we wish her the best of luck." says Bobbi Schaff, '96 graduate and current teacher.

  "Mostly when she comes back it's like Watermelon Days or the fall festival, like he said on the 4th of July, she'll have a concert one night in Hebron, Glen Ullin, Bismarck, Dickinson." says Richardson.

 "I think she'll do great because she's a very energetic caring person and she gets the crowd right jumping in with her, she'll get people on their seat." says Schaff.

 "I think she's going to do great, she has so much energy and she loves what she does and you can tell that, we're all excited and wish her the best." says Uttech.

 Ashley Braun in Mandan has also watched her cousin's star rise.

 "It started out like, okay this is the girl that sings the street dances and at local places, but now it's like oh my gosh this is the girl on youtube and TV and she's going be on the Voice, it's pretty awesome." says Braun.

And while those close to Gwen have known about her talent for awhile, people in Hebron, are glad the rest of the world is finally catching on.

 "We think it's a great thing because she's wanted that for a long time and it's really cool to see her be able to perform at that type of level singing in front of that many people." says Sardelli.

 "She's always worked hard and always remembered her hometown and North Dakota and we appreciate that just wish her the best." says Uttech.