Schools

Former Mr. Parkland on 'Today' Show Wednesday

Parkland graduate Ben Mays is scheduled to be on NBC's 'Today' show on Wednesday as part of the Penn State a capella group, The Statesmen.

Former "Mr. Parkland" Ben Mays is expected to be on NBC's Today show in New York Wednesday as part of the a capella group, The Statesmen.

Mays' mother, Ronnette, tells Patch that the all-male group, which has 12 members, is two years old and will be on the Today show as part of Varsity Week. The group has a posting on its Facebook page.

According to a posting on Onward State, the idea for the group was hatched at a party but has become popular quickly, performing at university events. Ben Mays is quoted as saying, "What started simply as a crazy idea at a party has materialized into an award-winning, tight-knit group of twelve proud Penn State guys singing. We’re all very, very close.”

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The group is expected to perform on "Today" at about 9 a.m.

May's mother said The Statesmen competed in the International Competition of Collegiate Acapella groups and made it to the semi-finals.  

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Ben Mays has just finished his sophomore year at Penn State, where he is majoring in chemical engineering. He is in Schreyer Honor college and has made the dean's list each year. He has earned the President's Freshman Award and President's Sparks award, which are giving to students who are freshmen or sophomores with 4.0 averages, his mother said.

This summer he will be interning at Proctor and Gamble in Mahoopany, near Scranton.  He is also involved in Campus Crusade for Christ.


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