Title: Carters thrill students at Poinciana
Topic: News
Author: J.J. Hysell
Date: Fri, Nov 22, 2002
Source: Keynews.com
Source: http://keysnews.com/309940941742080.bsp.htm
KEY WEST -- The questions posed to pop singing stars Nick and Aaron Carter by Poinciana Elementary school students Thursday weren't your usual television talk show-style inquiries.
But they gave the students and faculty -- who long-anticipated the impromptu visit from the Carters and popular teen girl group No Secrets -- an inside look at the Keys' most famous hometown heroes of the entertainment world.
"Do you know my sister Debbie?"
"What kind of car do you drive?"
"Do you guys play football?"
"Can you sign these for the ladies in the office?"
The Carters appeared to take it all in stride -- even the tall young man who disavowed any hint of idolatry.
"This isn't for me, really. It's for my sister," he said as he nonchalantly handed Backstreet Boy Nick Carter a sheet of paper to be autographed.
No shriek was left unheard when the blonde brothers made a splashy entrance through the side door of the school auditorium. They arrived at the height of lunchtime, and many students abandoned their forks and turned away from their plates to battle for a good glimpse at the teen idols.
One by one, anxious students filed across the stage where Nick, decked out in a white T-shirt and navy board shorts, and a Hawaiian-print T-shirt-clad Aaron sat, posing for pictures and engraving their John Hancock on a myriad of paraphernalia. There were the usual yearbooks, pictures and T-shirts, and then there were the collectibles that elicited a smile from Nick -- such as the faded leather football that appeared to have seen generations and the worn-paged "Captain Underpants" book that belonged to 8-year-old India Rojas.
"We like reaching out to everybody who likes our music," Nick Carter said.
The fact that the Carters had to leave the 45-minute autograph session early didn't trouble Marquis Roberts. He enjoyed meeting No Secrets, a four-member group of young ladies who have made a name for themselves on the Disney Channel.
Jade, a member of No Secrets, said the outpouring of support from the young fans was "overwhelming." Devotees gave the group gifts such as candy and teddy bears adorned with sweaters toned in their favorite colors.
"It's so nice that they took the time to do that," she said. "They're so young and so cute."
The word for the day at Poinciana must have been "cute" as girls, asked to describe why they so adored Aaron and Nick, didn't hesitate to use it often. Third-grader Margarita Monogyios, 9, held a poster of Aaron as she waited for her chance to meet the young star. When asked what she wished to tell him, she said, "I wish he would come to our school every day."
Lauren Foltz, 7, boasts a slew of CDs and posters, and said she wishes she could ride in Aaron's limousine.
"It takes us back to this level," Aaron Carter said. "We used to be here in the same position."
The elation wasn't limited to schoolchildren. Third-grade teacher Kim Knowles took her place in line beside her students and captured a special memento -- a group picture of her class autographed by the teen stars -- along with, well, an autograph for herself.
"This is one of the most exciting things to happen for young people in our community," she said. "They are role models for the kids."
jhysell@keysnews.com
[Picture: ROB O'NEAL/The Citizen Poinciana Elementary student Katie Albury collects autographs from Aaron Carter, left, and Backstreet Boys' brother, Nick Carter, in the school's cafeteria Thursday afternoon.]
