Music spills out of room 322 East as giggly students sing along to their favorite songs. They may not hold the microphone correctly. Their voices may be off-key, and the lyrics may be totally wrong. But nobody cares.

It’s Karaoke Day in English Teacher Tina Bausinger’s classroom. Every Wednesday during Flex Time, music-loving students flock to the room to eat snacks, sing or simply observe. Here, everyone is welcome. Here, judgment isn’t allowed.

“I started Karaoke Club last year because I thought it would be a nice way to get kids to open up and express their voices,” Bausinger said. “So far, I haven’t been disappointed with the results. I have seen kids from all walks of life coming in and just having fun and that’s what really matters.”

Sophomore Alexia Turvaville said Karaoke Club has changed her high school experience for the better because it helps her relieve stress and it makes the week go by faster. Turvaville said she is glad Bausinger came up with the idea because it gives students something to look forward to during the week.

“My favorite part about Karaoke Club is that I’m able to express myself through the music and lyrics rather than being in a class for it,” Turvaville said. “I can’t really pick out my favorite genre of music because, if you’ve ever been to Karaoke Club, you know that I’ll rock to just about anything.”

Turvaville said each week Bausinger provides snacks. In the past, snacks have been honey buns, chips, cookies, and on rare occasions, Bausinger has brought breakfast burritos. Not all students who visit the class each week sing. Some sit back, listen to the music and enjoy the snacks.

“It always makes my day better when the kids who are too shy to sing finally pick up the mic and give it a go,” Bausinger said. “All it takes is one brave moment to own the spotlight, then you have everyone’s attention, and the next thing you know everyone is chiming in and singing with you.”

Bausinger said the experience “makes you feel good.”

“Karaoke Club is a friendly place so there is only positive feedback and applause,” Bausinger said. “There is no negativity allowed because we are just here to have fun.”