ITHACA --
Lady Gaga. Jay-Z and Justin Bieber aren't the only musicians hoping to win a Grammy award this weekend.
"We love raw veggies and greens," a song by students from Beverly J. Martin Elementary in Ithaca is the lead track on "Healthy Food for Thought - Good Enough to Eat" CD. The album is a nominee in the "Best Spoken Word Album for Children" category.
The song benefits the fresh fruit and vegetable snack program at Beverly J. Martin Elementary. The nomination came as a complete surprise to staff, teachers and students - but it's creating a lot of buzz around the school.
"He got an e-mail saying we were in a Grammy thing - I was like no way! He read it to the class and I was really shocked," said student Elani Stark-Rowser. "I was like - oooh - I'm in a Grammy!"
The kids are featured on the album's cover. While they're getting national attention, they're also keeping low key.
"We aren't big stars. We're just kids that go to school that sing a song that got nominated," said student Madison Carroll.
Local musician John Simon helped the kids put the song together. Simon said he's proud of the nomination and what it means for the community.
"I think it makes it feel like it's an obtainable goal. It's a reachable thing," said Simon. "For a lot of kids it's not in their reality but these kids are showing - hey it can happen to you too."
Some of the kids are hoping to watch the Grammy awards on Sunday night if they get permission to stay up past their bedtime. Brothers Malcolm and Sam Cariddi, who performed on the song, said they planned a low key weekend of playing with friends and didn't expect to attend any rock and roll parties.
The CD can be purchased at GreenStar Cooperative Market in Ithaca and at the Healthy Food for Thought website.
