A small-town school in Harford County made the big time Tuesday, when the popular band from a Nickelodeon TV show played the gym at St. Margaret's School in Bel Air.
The event had all the trappings of a rock concert — enthusiastic fans, infectious music and Big Time Rush, a Minnesota-based pop group with four-part harmonies and energetic dance moves that have made them the darlings of the pre-teen set.
The students won a contest to host the concert — the first of 10 Big Time Rush performances nationwide, by posting the most texts about school spirit in a nationwide summertime contest.
Gregory Komondor, 11, borrowed his mom's cell to text "we are a cool school because we recycle and we are green," he said. He broke his leg playing soccer Sunday, but the injury gave him an in with the group. He posted "sign my cast" on his crutches and all four BTR members obliged.
"One even wrote, 'I hope you feel better,' and it was so cool!" he said. "My big sister will be really jealous!"
The early-afternoon concert was limited to the student body and teachers and a few guests of the show's sponsors. Older students, waiting in the parking lot, could not contain their excitement. They even yelled cheers to the tour bus, until their teacher told them the band had disembarked earlier and were already in the school building. Every opening of the gym door set off another wave of high-pitched cheers from the crowd.
"If I don't get to meet them, I will, like, die," said Darian Weldon, 12.
Dave LaBrozzi, vice president of programming for CBS Radio, which sponsored the contest along with the pharmacy chain Walgreens, said, "It's sad but they probably would not be this excited for Obama. But, then, maybe they are all Republicans."
Principal Madeleine Hobik, who arrived at the school in July, said she was a bit skeptical about hosting a rock concert on the campus of a Catholic elementary. Before agreeing, she checked out Big Time Rush's songs on the Internet and found the lyrics appropriate.
"The children know a lot more about this group than we do," Hobik said. "From what I have been able to tell, this band is adorable, in the same vein as the Monkees."
About 720 children were seated on the gym floor, waiting, but hardly in the silence typically demanded at school assemblies. As soon as the emcee asked if there were any Big Time Rush fans in the audience, they were on their feet for the duration of the half-hour show. Students danced to the pulsating beat and sang along to the lively lyrics. One child in the first row did his own break dance and even the teachers caught the Tuesday afternoon dance fever.
The band appreciated the students' enthusiasm.
Member Carlos Pena said, "Thank you for texting all your votes. You rock as a school."
The performers chided their audience for wearing all the same thing: the school uniform. The crowd laughed when band member James Maslow said, "Funny how you all wore the same thing today." They congratulated St. Margaret's on its 100th anniversary this year. They showed off their best back flips, sang the familiar favorites and added one new song from a CD they debuted Monday.
"They are so amazing!" said Olivia Askey, 13, who watches the "Big Time Rush" weekly show on Nickelodeon and occasionally stays up late to watch reruns.
Stefania Vito, 13, said, "One of them shook my hand for a whole minute. I counted. I am a fan for life."
Olivia and Stefania were among 10 children who won a meet and greet, through a random drawing. The pop stars gave the children autographed T-shirts and posters.
"I asked James how he gets his hair so luscious," said Scott Pajerowski, 12.
Olivia, editor of the school newspaper, used her face time for an interview. She will publish her exclusive with a photo in the next edition of the SMS Press. But she did offer a bit of a preview.
"I asked them where they see themselves in the future," she said. "They told me the possibilities are endless."
mary.gail.hare@baltsun.com