02 Jul 2018
For 15-year-old Dubbo College support unit student Tyreece Fernando, pop star Michael Jackson is a hero he greatly admires.
When he dresses up and dances like Jackson, Tyreece transcends his otherwise quiet and shy personality to become a very much-loved celebrity at his home campus of Delroy.
The Year 10 student is the star of a video production entered in the 10th annual Focus on Ability short film festival and he is calling on the Dubbo and wider community to vote for him online.
The video, titled "Behind the talent: Tyreece" focuses on his performances fronting the popular support band at the campus "The Delroy School of Rock".
Student learning support officer at Dubbo College Delroy Campus Doug Gordon said Tyreece began impersonating Michael Jackson at school about two years ago.
"He does it so well and we asked him if he would be prepared to dress up and dance at a school assembly with our band," he said.
"He agreed to give it a go and he hasn't looked back.
"It's been brilliant for his confidence and it has established him as one of the school's real characters, and a very popular one at that."
Support head teacher Sheree Jones said Tyreece's regular role as the pop star had endeared him to students and staff alike.
"The school has entered the video featuring Tyreece in the schools category of the Focus on Ability short film competition and members of the community can simply go online and vote," she said.
"Rather than focus on disability, this short film festival focuses on ability and Tyreece is a perfect example of someone who is a very positive role model, both within Dubbo College and outside."
The link to the video can be found at:
https://www.focusonability.com.au/FOA/films/Behind_the_Talent_Tyreece_1467.html
Voting for Tyreece closes on July 3.
Tyreece said his favourite Michael Jackson songs included Billy Jean and Beat It.
He said he was excited about the video and hoped people in the community would support him.