Classroom Success Brings 'The Chainsmokers' To Webster High School

Graduation success at one Tulsa high school brought a big-name music act to their auditorium for the surprise of their lives.

Webster High School students were shocked when The Chainsmokers walked into their assembly Tuesday afternoon, ahead of their show at the BOK Center.

The screams were deafening. The smiles were ear to ear, and it all was a reward because the students at Webster are doing better in the classroom.

What the students thought was an ordinary assembly, got weird when TPS Superintendent Dr. Deborah Gist started singing.

But the auditorium erupted with cheers for the band, The Chainsmokers.

Marty: “What do you think, man?"
Student Darius Arney: "I'm really excited. I can't believe they're actually here.”

The band showed up because Webster students are performing in the classroom. From 2015 to 2016, 15 percent more students graduated, getting the attention of national programs that encourage student success.

“Not only are more students graduating, they are graduating ready for college, and they're going and choosing to go on to college," Gist said.

"Through the program, we heard about the school that was doing great things, seemed like a great way to spend my birthday, and the day," said band member Alex Pall.

To celebrate, the students took a lot of pictures and even got free show tickets, something student Savannah Smith was most excited about.

Marty: "So when The Chainsmokers walk out on your stage, what do you think?"
Smith: "Ah, holy crap!"
Marty: Did you already have tickets?”
Smith: “No.”
Marty: "So you needed these?"
Smith: "Yes, I needed these."

The joy for the duo comes from fostering creativity.

Band member Andrew Taggart said, "Inspire them to go off and find their own way - whether it's in art or whatever they're going to do after this, if we can be a part of it, that's great."

"It's amazing,” Smith said. “Especially for Webster, like, we're real small town people, and it's awesome."

The Chainsmokers went to Webster thanks to the national programs Get Schooled and Diplomas Now.