Heather Andersen is part teacher and part musician. Andersen recently entered in a musician’s contest put on by the Christian radio station Spirit 105.3. The “Local Music Project” searches for rising local artists in the area who enter their songs in hopes of a first place title and the recording deal that comes with it. Listeners vote each week for the artists presented, then the winners move on to a final round. Andersen won for her week and then proceeded to the final round with her song “My Heart Is Your Home.”

She says, “I was shocked! I didn’t think that they would choose me, since the other contestants had songs that sounded so ‘professionally recorded.’ But I decided to trust that if God wanted this to happen, then He would make a way. Whether I won or lost, either way, it was an honor to have made it as far as I did.”

Andersen is the third and fourth grade teacher at Kirkland Seventh-day Adventist School, and enjoys playing her guitar and singing with her students. She writes many songs and would love to make an album someday, or sell her songs to other artists.

Andersen was amazed by the support form her husband, family, friends, church family, school family and many other people. She says, “Without them, this would not have been possible!” After a few weeks of waiting, Andersen was informed that she had won the contest. Overwhelmed with joy, she said, “I give God the glory for bringing me to this place in my life. He gave me the words, the voice, and the opportunities that have brought me where I am.”

Andersen recently performed her winning song at Key Arena.

Natalie Dorland is a Puget Sound Adventist Academy junior.