Community, Optimism, and Positivity Coming Together

Written by Ed Kengerski

As a sophomore at Grass Lake High School, Brayden Lape recently launched himself into the public spotlight by placing fifth on NBC’s hit talent show The Voice. The process began with the uncertainty of virtual auditions and culminated in a top-five finish. He credits his hometown community and the ongoing support of family and friends for pushing him through the long, grueling process.

“All of the people reaching out to me, I think that’s half the reason I made it through,” said Lape. “There are so many people here at home who wanted me to go as far as I could and wanted me to learn all the things I could. It inspires me to just keep doing this music thing. I play sports and I focus hard on school. It helps me to push on because balancing it all is not an easy thing.”

Viewers at home witness the glamorous side of The Voice—the televised performances. What they didn’t see was the daily grind. Lape spent all but a week and a half of his summer in Los Angeles--recording, rehearsing, and performing. Staying optimistic carried him through.

“That’s kind of how I live my life,” Brayden explained as we chatted on an oversized sofa in the family living room. “I had to go there and be away from my friends and family for the whole summer, but in the end (I kept telling myself) I’m gonna get rewarded.”

“There’s a lot of people who just want to tear you down for no reason. You just gotta be you and push through to the other side because that’s what got me through all the rounds.”

Brayden says an attitude of positivity also played a huge role in his unexpected journey, and his attitude originates from his family-- his folks Bryan and Kari, and his two younger siblings, Reese and Boyer.

“A big reason that I’ve succeeded is due to my parents pushing me, not just in sports and music,” says Lape, “but life in general.” Hall of fame football coach Vince Lombardi once said, ‘perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.’ Lape caught excellence--and carried it across the proverbial goal line.

“I placed fifth on The Voice,” Brayden says almost incredulously. “I kept telling myself, I just need to turn this around and do better than I did last time.”

The power of community, optimism and positivity working as one.