What caught my attention on the expansive stage Friday evening was a rather demure, young Filipino male who was wearing what looked like a members only jacket and black pants. I mean, he looked really small up there.  He was surrounded by some old and weathered rockers and sound equipment.  I noticed he had a microphone in his hand.  I thought he was doing a sound check or was going to pass it off.  Instead, to my surprise, he lifted the microphone to his lips and began singing.  We were shocked, surprised, and thoroughly entertained.  Ladies and gentlemen meet, Arnel Pineda!

The former lead singer of Journey, Steve Perry obviously never met the Blue's Brothers.  If Jake and Elwood called him about getting the band back together, he probably wouldn't even get in the car. The original Journey band members tried to get Steve Perry to re-join the band but when that failed, they began their search for a new lead singer on YouTube. They quickly found Arnel who was born and raised in the Philippines.  His mom passed away when he was thirteen years old and he spent several years as a destitute youth living on the streets of Manilla. Thankfully his mother taught him to sing.  It is what ultimately saved him.

In interviews, Arnell Pineda talked about how the US immigration officer did not necessarily believe he was entering our country for an interview to be the lead singer for Journey.  That was of course until INS staff asked him if he knew the words to,  "Wheel in the Sky."  "Of course", he replied. He then began signing this famous Journey song to INS staff and other immigrants entering the United States.   Insert stamping sound now....visa approved.

It seems almost serendipitous that the week that Apple CEO Steve Jobs passes that we see another example of the power of the Internet and what can happen if you work very hard and never give up.  Arnel Pineda has made it.  From sleeping on the streets in a foreign country and begging for food to being the lead singer of one of the most successful bands in history.

To steal a few words from one of Journey's best songs..."Don't stop believin'". 

To hear Arnel Pineda sing, simply click here. You won't be disappointed.

Have a great week!
 

• 10/12 DNHS Boys Water Polo VS San Dieguito 4:00pm 
• 10/15 DNHS Cross Country SoCal Invite, Guajome Pk 8a 
• 10/14 DNHS Football JV/Varsity AT Olympian 4:30/7   
• 10/13 DNHS Freshman Football VS Olympian 5:00pm 
• 10/12 DNHS Field Hockey VS Mt. Carmel 3:30/4:45  
• 10/11 DNHS Varsity Girls Tennis AT San Dieguito 3:15  
• 10/11 DNHS JV Girls Tennis VS San Dieguito 3:15  
• 10/14 Maranatha Girls Volleyball AT Classical Acad. 4:30
• 10/14 Maranatha Football AT Desert Chapel 7:00pm 

Del Sur schools high-achievers on state standards tests

SAN DIEGO (Sept. 28, 2011) - The latest test scores are in and all three Del Sur neighborhood schools - Del Sur Elementary, Oak Valley Middle and Del Norte High - continue to rank exceptionally high within the Poway Unified School District, widely acknowledged as the best district in all of San Diego.

"Across the board, Del Sur's schools achieve phenomenal scores within an extremely competitive district," said Bill Ostrem, president and CEO of Black Mountain Ranch, developers of Del Sur. "At Del Norte High School, scores increased by eight points, making the Nighthawks the top high school in the district."  Click here to read more.