Cary-Grove High Student Films Music Video

When Breanna Alyssa Bogucki, a 15-year-old high school student with autism, took the stage during the four-state Special Talents America competition last November, she captivated the audience with her rendition of Taylor Swift’s “Mean.” 

It was a song that had great personal meaning to this teen with a disability, since she often felt isolated and judged by those around her.

Breana took first place, and, as a result, won a professional recording session with Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Jim Peterik (“Eye of the Tiger,” Survivor, The Ides of March). Peterik was one of the judges of the competition. 

In fact, Peterik was so impressed with the teen’s talent and compelling story he decided she needed her own original song. Collaborating with Lisa McClowry, emcee of the Special Talents America competition and singer/songwriter with Peterik’s World Stage Studio, Peterik composed “I Was Born Yesterday.”

The teen spent Monday morning filming a portion of the video for "I Was Born Yesterday" at Cary-Grove High School. 

Peterik described the song as "new country."

“Lisa and I had just a really great time writing this song for Breanna," he said. "We knew it had to be the right song. We wanted it to be new country, just to stay in the genre of Taylor Swift or Sugarland.”

Peterik said he already had the title, ‘I Was Born Yesterday,’ in his head, as well as the melody. But he admitted he can’t write from a 15-year-old girl’s perspective, and that's where McClowry came in.

Lisa brought a lot to the song in terms of lyrics, making it relatable to Breanna and universal to all teenagers, really. It is all about being a kid in high school. 

"With the whole bullying thing that is so prevalent now, this is especially a great message. ‘Don’t take advantage of me. I’m valuable.’ This isn’t just about potential boyfriends. It is about society. It’s about your peer group,” McClowry said.

Before writing the song, Peterik and McClowry met with Breanna on several occasions and talked with her and her mother at length on the phone.

According to McClowry, “What I really wanted to get out of Breanna was vulnerability. Being young and having special challenges, I imagine she is building up all kinds of walls and anger. So this song was a way for her to let go and let the walls down and reveal that she does get hurt. That makes her more human, and I think a lot of young people will identify with that.”

Breanna loved the song the first time she heard it. “The song’s really cool and it’s really catchy,” she said. “The words described me and the things that I experienced.”

Breanna's mom, Mary Ellen Bogucki, agreed. 

“It was incredible. For them to write a song for her was amazing," she said. "When they sent me the song to hear, they asked me to let them know if there was anything I wanted them to change. There wasn’t one thing I wanted to change. They got her. I’ve been advocating for autism for 15 years, and many people don’t get it. These two people did!”

Two weeks after the song was written, Breanna and her family joined Jim Peterik, Lisa McClowry, and chief engineer Larry Millas at World Stage Studio in Burr Ridge for Breanna’s first-ever recording session.

The finished song has many people in the recording industry elated.

“We are really proud of Bree for the growth we have seen in her singing over the past few months and for her very professional recording of this song,” said McClowry. “We are witnessing a talented young girl rise above her fear, move past her disabilities, and shine like a bright star!”

“I Was Born Yesterday” is now available on iTunes and Amazon and CDBaby under Breanna’s stage name, Breanna Alyssa.

Special Talents America

Special Talents America is a competition for talented children and adults who love to perform and who happen to have disabilities. The 2012 four-state talent competition was held at Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center in Naperville on November 5. 

Until recently, the Special Talents America group was part of the Western DuPage Special Recreation Association, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. It is now applying for its own nonprofit designation.

For more information about Special Talents America, Breanna’s song “I Was Born Yesterday,” and the 2012 competition, please visit www.specialtalents.org.

Source: Amy Roth, public information manager for Aurora Public Library