Le Buzzer D'Or

Le Buzzer d’Or

By: Mar Bournigal

“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”-Walt Disney. 

Think of everything you ever wished you could do, the talents you hoped you were born with. Maybe you dreamed of acting so well you'd make it to Hollywood, or being so brilliant you became a NASA engineer. But for most, these dreams remain just that, dreams. The difference between those who succeed and those who don't isn’t talent alone; it's determination. Success comes from relentless practice, unwavering study and the will to believe in yourself. The only thing separating you from those who have achieved greatness is that they started, and never stopped. Today, I share the story of an undoubtedly inspiring young woman. Her journey began in first grade with a simple performance of a Frozen song. Yet, from that moment she knew what she wanted, and she pursued it, reaching heights she hadn't even imagined. 

Amalia De Los Santos is a 17 year old student who moved to the Dominican Republic a year and a half ago after spending most of her life in Canada; a place she still considers home. Amalia has accomplished remarkable things for her young life. Today, I will be focusing on her experience in Dominican’s Got Talent. Amalia’s journey through Dominican’s Got Talent was not just about showcasing her voice or trumpet skills; it was a lesson in perseverance, passion, and self discovery. She trained tirelessly, undergoing peculiar preparation methods like push-ups and jumping jacks to stimulate the nerves she would feel on stage. Beyond technical skills, she also worked on her stage presence, knowing that confidence and charisma play just as big a role in captivating an audience. 

Despite her dedication, the competition was anything but easy. Amalia faced great pressure, not only from the judges and the audience but from herself, the desire to make her family proud and prove that all her years of hard work had meant something. As she sang the lyrics of “Je Vole” she remembered her first singing teacher’s face, how he taught her that song and how she paid a tribute to her upbringing by singing in French. She proved her greatness when she was honored with the Golden Buzzer, which is granted by the judges and in her case by one of the hosts of the show. This moment was surreal for her, she had never even imagined that this would become a reality. Exactly at that moment, when gold confetti fell over her, she felt relief, she knew she had made her family proud. And all the hours she had put in trumpet and singing lessons had paid off. Although Amalia didn't make it to the finals, she walked away with a wise understanding of resilience. “You have to mentally prepare yourself for success and rejection,” she reflected. “Even when I failed, I got home and was happy that I had this experience.” 

Her love for music has been lifelong, dating back to her first grade performance of Let It Go, an experience she remembers vividly because she forgot the lyrics on stage. From that moment on, she made sure that never happened again. Through youth orchestras and the support of her teachers, she continued developing her musical talents, inspired by artists like Shawn Mendes and the power of music’s simplicity. Though she doesn't see herself pursuing music professionally, it remains a core part of who she is, something she looks forward to continuing in college. 

When asked about advice for young people chasing their dreams, Amalia’s response was simple yet powerful: “You have nothing to lose.” She highlighted the importance of pushing past fear and ignoring judgment. In her eyes, success comes from those who dare to try, even when others doubt them. Weather on stage or in life, Amalia De Los Santos has already proven that taking a leap of faith can lead to extraordinary experiences.